When you think of countries that grow and export coffee, which ones come to mind first? Most people think of Columbia and Brazil — maybe Nicaragua. These countries are all large coffee producers, but there is another coffee-growing nation that is beginning to gain more recognition: Honduras. Whether you're already a gourmet coffee drinker or you're just learning the ropes, here are the basics you need to know about coffee from Honduras.

The Growing Conditions

Coffee is quite a picky plant, and it only grows well under certain conditions. Honduras, luckily, has those conditions. The area in and around San Marcos, a city nestled on the top of the Sierra del Merendon mountain, is especially well suited to coffee farming, and much of the nation's coffee is grown here. The high elevation of the mountainside is favorable for the coffee plants. There's also a lot of shade, which makes for a good quality coffee. Finally, the mountain air near San Marcos tends to be cool during the day and cold at night, which is favorable for coffee plants as it extends their growing season and makes for a hardier bean.

The Flavor Characteristics

So, what flavors do these unique growing conditions impart on Honduran coffee? In general, this coffee tends to be acidic, but with a lot of nuanced flavors you don't always see in an acidic coffee. You can expect light citrus notes with hints of vanilla and spice. Honduran coffee is full-bodied, but not exactly in the way you expect. The flavors really coat your mouth, but they are also quick to come and quick to go; there's not much aftertaste.

The Brewing Recommendations

In order to enjoy your Honduran coffee at its best, you need to brew it carefully. To start, you'll want to grind the coffee beans using a bur grinder, not a blade grinder. This results in a more even grind so that you get a more consistent flavor out of the coffee. 

Drip brewing methods that result in time-limited contact between the coffee beans and water tend to work well for this coffee, as they bring out the more subtle spice and fruit notes. Pour-overs work well. You could also brew your coffee in a standard drip coffee maker. Long-contact methods like the French press are less ideal for Honduran coffee.

Now that you know a little more about Honduran coffee, buy yourself a bag! It's worth the experience. For more information about this type of coffee, like Honduras San Marcos Coffee, contact a lcoal seller.