All orders are roasted and packaged on demand. We roast our coffee beans every Monday and Wednesday, shipping orders on Wednesdays and Fridays. Please remember that the cut-off time for placing orders is 10 AM on Mondays for Wednesday shipments and 10 AM on Wednesdays for Friday shipments.

All orders over $75 ship for free!

Nostalgia of Smugglers Blend

Smugglers blend is as classic as the Seattle folk story that inspired its name. It’s a rustic coffee with a slight bite – nostalgic, calling up memories roadside diners (with great coffee) and simpler times. Smugglers benefits from the juicy flavor of a Nicaraguan coffee. Grown in Matagalpa – a tropical region that fosters fruity flavors.

“Pearl of the North”

Matagalpa is called Nicaragua’s “Pearl of the North” and “Land of the Eternal Spring.” They are euphemistic names, shorthand for some poet’s utopia. But there’s something to it: this region is a modern day hot spot for ecotourism – adventure-seekers flock to this region to biplane among dense tropical foliage and snap photos of out-sized flora.

Matagalpa was gold was discovered in 1840, attracting a wave of Europeans. Germans brought coffee seeds and found that the “Land of the Eternal Spring” was ideal for growing the tropical cash crop. The Germans sent back their coffee and soon Nicaragua had a fine reputation in the sidewalk cafes and drawing rooms of Munich.

A word about climate stats: climate is key to Matagalpa’s long-lived and ongoing international appeal. Average temperatures range between 79 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit with 75-85% humidity and 47-75″ annual rainfall. In the coffee growing world, this is perfection. Like a giant terrarium or greenhouse – good for quickly growing fruit.

The coffee here is sweet and bright with cherry, green grape, and maple notes. Citrus coffee that pours red and sets your taste buds on edge. Matagalpa gold for a new era.

Enjoy a cup while reading the mysterious story of D.B. Cooper.

Origins: Nicaragua, South America, Indo-Pacific

Below are some basic recipes outlining what we found produced the best cup with this coffee, however we encourage each home brewer to experiment and modify these recipes to suite their own tastes.

The French press is a great brewing method because it allows for full extraction of the coffee's essential oils and flavors, resulting in a rich and robust cup. Unlike methods that use paper filters, the French press preserves the natural oils from the coffee beans, enhancing its aroma and body. Additionally, the brewing process is straightforward and requires minimal equipment, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned coffee enthusiasts. The ability to control steeping time and coffee-to-water ratio also allows for customization, catering to individual taste preferences.

Coffee: 40g
Grind: Medium coarse (slightly finer than sea salt)
Water: 600g 93° C/ 199° F
Total Brew Time: 15 Minutes
Yields appx. 2 cups

Prep
Preheat the French press by filling it with hot water. After heating the French press, dump the water out and fill with ground coffee.

Immerse
Pour all of the hot water over the ground coffee. Start the timer and stir for 30 seconds. Secure the top with the filter pulled up. Wait for the coffee to brew. When the timer reaches 5:00 remove the top, stir briefly, and secure top back on. Wait an additional 10 minutes. Press the filter down and decant the coffee into mugs to serve or another vessel.