3rd Place Winner of the 2026 Cup of Excellence Nicaragua – Natural & Honey Category (89.19 points)

About Cup of Excellence

Cup of Excellence is one of the world’s most prestigious coffee competitions, organized by the Alliance for Coffee Excellence. Each year, hundreds of coffees are submitted by producers hoping to earn recognition among the finest coffees their country has to offer.

These coffees undergo multiple rounds of rigorous blind evaluation by national and international juries composed of experienced coffee professionals. Each coffee is evaluated for attributes including flavor, aftertaste, acidity, sweetness, mouthfeel, balance, and overall quality. Only the highest-performing coffees advance through the competition, ultimately earning the distinction of Cup of Excellence winners.

Unlike other coffee scoring systems, Cup of Excellence uses its own rigorous evaluation standards. Scores are not directly interchangeable between organizations such as Coffee Review, Q Grading, and Cup of Excellence. An 88-point Cup of Excellence coffee, for example, may represent an exceptionally high level of quality despite receiving a lower numerical score than coffees evaluated under other systems.

Cafe Kreyol has also had the privilege of serving on the International Jury for Cup of Excellence, giving us firsthand experience evaluating some of the world’s most extraordinary coffees.

About Leticia González & Finca Los Suyates

Nestled in the cool mountains of Dipilto, Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua, Finca Los Suyates is a remarkable coffee farm owned and operated by Leticia Milagros González Morazán. Situated at 1,650 meters above sea level, the farm benefits from high elevations, surrounding coniferous forests, and a carefully preserved natural environment that contributes to the complexity and elegance of its coffees.

Leticia began her coffee project approximately 13 years ago with a vision of producing exceptional coffees capable of representing Nicaragua on the international stage. Today, Los Suyates encompasses 123 manzanas of land, with approximately 40 dedicated to coffee cultivation. The remaining land is preserved for natural shade and wildlife, reflecting her commitment to maintaining the surrounding ecosystem.

Her dedication has earned Los Suyates recognition in Cup of Excellence competitions over seven years of participation, including second, third, and tenth-place finishes. These achievements span both Parainema and Catuai varieties, demonstrating her consistency and expertise in producing exceptional specialty coffees.

In the 2026 Nicaragua Cup of Excellence competition, Leticia’s naturally processed Parainema earned 3rd place in the Natural & Honey category with an impressive score of 89.19 points.

This remarkable coffee, which we’ve named Jasmine Noir, showcases the distinctive character of the Parainema variety and the complexity that natural processing can bring to the cup. Elegant jasmine florals and refined black tea notes are complemented by juicy stone fruit and ripe blackberry, creating a beautifully layered sensory experience.

We’re especially proud to feature Leticia’s award-winning coffee as part of Cafe Kreyol’s limited holiday competition collection, celebrating both exceptional coffee quality and the accomplishments of a dedicated woman producer whose work continues to elevate Nicaraguan specialty coffee.

We serve whole bean coffee for maximum quality and freshness.