By Michael, your resident Q‑Grader
If you know me, you know that I’m always chasing those little victories—those rare coffees that make you stop, smile and rethink what’s possible in a cup. Our latest limited‑edition release does exactly that. Little victories comes from the beautiful mountains surrounding Jinotega, Nicaragua. It’s a small batch, single‑origin lot with beans so big they turn heads and flavors so vivid they turn skeptics into believers.
Grown High, Hand‑Picked & Carefully Sorted
This coffee begins its life at an altitude of nearly 4,500 feet in Jinotega. The farmers behind these beans are part of Gold Mountain Coffee Growers (GMCG)—an inspiring collective of Nicaraguan farmers who use specialty coffee to combat poverty as they steward their land. The growers hand‑pick each cherry and meticulously sort them. During the harvest and processing of this lot, Maritza Castro and her family were deeply involved, treating each bean like the treasure it is. GMCG isn’t just about quality; it’s about empowerment. Members who improve their coffee or community get access to low‑interest or zero‑interest loans, and their dedication results in payouts that exceed typical certification premiums. Every time we source from GMCG, we see how stewardship and quality go hand in hand.
What Makes Maracaturra So Special?
You may not have heard of Maracaturra, but once you taste it you won’t forget it. This hybrid of Caturra and the giant Maragogype produces cherries that are 50% larger than typical Arabica beans. Fewer cherries grow on each shrub, but the beans are enormous and bursting with flavor. When we cupped this lot, engaging flavors leapt out of the cup: strawberry, cantaloupe, blackberry and grape. The acidity is tangerine‑bright and lime-like, the body soft and full, and there’s a cane‑sugar sweetness that lingers like rose petals. It’s a comfortable, balanced experience that might just change your perception of what coffee can be.
Carbonic Maceration: Borrowed From Wine, Perfected for Coffee
One of the secrets to Little Victories’ explosive flavor is the process. These beans undergo carbonic maceration, a cutting‑edge fermentation technique borrowed from natural winemaking. In this method, whole coffee cherries are sealed in airtight tanks and flushed with carbon dioxide (CO₂). Pumping CO₂ into the tank forces oxygen out, creating an anaerobic environment that allows the fruit to ferment slowly and evenly. When properly applied, carbonic maceration can intensify fruit flavors and produce coffees with intense flavor profiles. These cherries ferment in their skins for 166 hours—a marathon by coffee standards—to coax out every nuance. It’s a risky, labor‑intensive process, but the payoff is pure magic.
A Rare Find With an Outstanding Score
When I tasted this microlot for the first time, I knew we had to have it. We bought every sack we could get our hands on, and it’s still only enough for a tiny release. Coffee Review agreed with my excitement, awarding little victories an “Outstanding” 92‑point score—putting it in the top tier of specialty coffees. Because microlots are, by definition, small batch, once these two sacks are gone, they’re gone for good. If you’re a high‑end coffee lover searching for rare beans and single‑origin treasures, this is your moment.
Giving Back: Big Impact Beyond the Cup
There’s another reason this release is close to my heart: 100% of net sales of little victories will go to the Mental Health Coalition. Mental health matters to us at happy®—it’s why we gave NAMI an equity stake in our company and why we use our platform to champion mental‑health organizations. Buying this coffee means you’re not only treating yourself to an unforgettable brew; you’re also supporting mental health initiatives around the world.
Tasting & Brewing Tips
Little Victories is roasted on the lighter side of medium to preserve its complex fruit profile. Here’s how I like to brew it:
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Pour‑over or Chemex: The clarity of filter brewing lets the strawberry and cantaloupe notes shine. Use 1:16 coffee‑to‑water ratio and water around 202° F to keep acidity lively. For Chemex, check out our step‑by‑step guide on the blog.
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French Press: If you prefer a fuller body, a press pot brings out the cane‑sugar sweetness and rose finish. Steep this unique coffee for 3 minutes and plunge gently.
Curious about nailing your brew? Read my comprehensive guide on making the perfect cup of coffee (also on our blog) where I break down grind sizes, water ratios and more.
The Story in Every Sip
Above all, this coffee is about people—Maritza and Francisco, the GMCG growers, and every hand that picked, sorted and fermented these beans. It’s about their little victories that add up to something extraordinary. Taste it yourself and experience how big beans and bigger hearts make for an unforgettable cup.
Ready to grab a bag? Head over to the product page and secure your share of little victories while it lasts. Brew, sip and savor this little victory of a coffee—it’s truly something special.
— Michael, Q‑Grader aka Chief Coffee Geek
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