El Limoncillo – Fincas Mierisch
Farm
El Limoncillo – Fincas Mierisch
First time collaboration: 2025
Collaboration: Direct Trade
El Limoncillo, named after the small lemon trees that grew there when the farm was purchased in 1930, is the second-oldest estate in the Fincas Mierisch system. Located in Yasica Sur, Matagalpa, it spans 119 hectares of coffee cultivation at 850-1,110 meters elevation, alongside 54 hectares of strictly protected rainforest.
Initially growing only Typica, climate change and leaf rust prompted the farm to diversify varieties, prioritizing quality over quantity. In 2001, the Mierisch family serendipitously purchased “Java” seeds from a roadside fruit vendor. After planting, they joyfully discovered these were genuine Java longberry, later genetically confirmed as an Ethiopian heirloom. This Javanica won 2nd place at the 2008 Cup of Excellence Nicaragua, marking a historic milestone for the farm.
El Limoncillo is not just a specialty coffee producer but a model of sustainable development. With elevation-based cultivation strategy, the farm optimizes quality and yield for each variety. As a UTZ-certified ecotourism farm, El Limoncillo generates renewable energy through hydroelectric turbines, strictly prohibits child labor, provides on-site schools and clinics, and trains staff in sustainable farming methods. This is proof that exceptional coffee cannot be separated from responsibility to people and planet.