Grown in the Siguatepeque region of Honduras, this coffee from the Mierisch family is a rare varietal called Java. The Mierisch family has been farming in Nicaragua for generations, and they also own a roasting space in Brooklyn where Driftaway used to roast coffee!

We’ve actually roasted coffee from the Mierisch family several times, and we’ve specifically roasted a different varietal from Cerro Azul. The coffee grown on their farm in Nicaragua, Finca Mierisch, has won quite a few awards for quality over the years.

They purchased Cerro Azul towards the end of 2011, when Erwin J. Mierisch was head judge in Honduras for an international coffee auction and competition called the Cup of Excellence - that experience got him interested in growing coffee there. Their hard work has paid off: this year, Cerro Azul was a finalist in that same competition!

Cerro Azul receives more rainfall than most of their other farms, but the silty clay soil also boosts the nutrient and water retention capabilities of the soil. They currently have 96 hectares, or almost 240 acres, in cultivation, and the farm is maintained by their farm manager, Jesus “Chuga” Cruz (pictured above).

Most of the coffee trees on the farm are from the previous owner, and they use pruning methods on the old plants to keep them producing a good harvest and quality. The Mierisch family only replanted new varietals on about 28 hectares (about 70 acres). These include Yellow Pacamara, Yellow Pacas, Orange Bourbon, Ethiosar, Gesha and this varietal, Java.

This Java varietal actually comes from Nicaragua, where it’s called ‘Javanica’. The tree produces a fairly large seed (though not as large as the marigogipe, or “elephant ear” varietal!).