A Day in the Life at El Recreo Farm in Nicaragua

Carlos and Leana owner of El Recreo Farm

Coffee at Recreo isn’t just a beverage—it’s a story, a ritual, and a legacy. While many coffee brands source beans from large-scale operations, our coffee is hand-grown with care and intention on our family-owned farm, El Recreo Estate, tucked into the cloud-kissed mountains of Jinotega, Nicaragua.

Here, every day follows a rhythm guided by nature, tradition, and community. From the early morning dew to the quiet, golden hour at dusk, life on the farm is rich with purpose.

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5:00 AM – Sunrise & Harvest Begins

At dawn, the crisp mountain air carries the scent of wet earth and flowering coffee plants. Farmers head into the fields, baskets in hand, ready to begin the most delicate task of the day: harvesting ripe coffee cherries by hand.

Unlike mechanical methods used in industrial farms, our farmers use touch and sight—selecting only the cherries that have reached peak ripeness. This care ensures flavor integrity from the very beginning.

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7:00 AM – Farm Breakfast & Morning Rituals

Juana, our chef, makes 600 tortillas daily during harvest season

By early morning, the team gathers to share a nourishing, traditional Nicaraguan breakfast. Plates are filled with gallo pinto (rice and beans), fresh eggs, and warm tortillas—always accompanied by the freshest coffee brewed right from the beans grown on-site.

These meals are more than fuel—they’re community moments. Workers connect, share stories, and prepare for the day’s work ahead.

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Midday – Processing, Drying & Sustainability in Action

Leana and Miriam(mother & daughter) are admiring the coffee beans

The next stage in the journey of our coffee is processing. After harvesting, the cherries are carefully washed and fermented to bring out the best in their flavor profile. Then, they’re spread out to dry naturally under the sun.

Sustainability is woven into this process. Shade trees protect the coffee and the soil, while compost made from coffee pulp is returned to the earth, enriching it naturally. These practices support biodiversity and ensure the farm thrives without harming the environment.

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Evening – Family, Tradition & Passing Down Wisdom

Workers gathered to have dinner together

As the sun dips behind the hills, life on the farm slows. Families reunite, sharing home-cooked meals and enjoying the calm of the evening. It’s during these quiet moments that stories are told—about past harvests, challenges, victories, and the pride of building something lasting from the soil.

Many of our farmers have been with us for generations, and their knowledge is passed on like heirlooms—from grandparents to children—ensuring our coffee’s story continues to evolve while staying rooted in legacy.

🌱 More Than Coffee: A Way of Life

At El Recreo, sustainability isn’t a marketing phrase—it’s a core belief. From offering on-site education for workers’ children, to reinvesting in environmental stewardship, we see every cup of Recreo as an opportunity to nurture the earth and support the people who cultivate it.

When you sip Recreo Coffee, you’re not just tasting a premium roast. You’re experiencing a deeper story—one rooted in family, tradition, and respect for nature. Every bean carries the fingerprint of a farmer, the warmth of a community, and the promise of a better future