18 - San Isidro - Nicaragua 2026 (Dry)

My journey with coffee began amidst the mountains and the privileged climate of our coffee-growing land. I am Byron Alexander Rodríguez Zúniga, and I grew up within a family that has cultivated coffee for generations: starting with my grandparents, followed by my parents, and now I continue this path with pride and passion. From a very young age, I learned to plant and care for coffee trees by following my father's example and with the support of technicians who helped me improve every process. For me, coffee is not just a crop; it is my family's livelihood, a heritage, and a passion I carry in my heart.
What motivated me to participate in the "Cup of Excellence" for the first time was discovering that our farm has the potential to produce a truly specialty coffee. Thanks to the favorable altitude, the excellent variety, and constant care, I realized we could compete with high-quality coffees. Every stage was carried out with great dedication: I selected only cherries at their perfect point of ripeness, took the coffee immediately to the drying area, sun-dried it for four days, and then continued the drying process on raised African beds until it reached the ideal moisture level. Furthermore, we took care of every detail: we used clean sacks, transported the coffee carefully, performed siphoning with clean water, and maintained proper plant nutrition to obtain healthy, excellent-quality beans. I firmly believe that what makes my coffee unique is God's blessing, the richness of our land, my family's dedication, and the love we pour into every process.
Participating in this competition has been an exciting and learning-filled experience. I feel proud because this represents not only a personal opportunity but also an inspiration for other producers in my community. The Cup of Excellence proves to us that by working with dedication and doing things right, we can open doors to international markets and show the world the quality of Nicaraguan coffee. My family has been fundamental in this achievement, as this work is done together throughout the year, sharing sacrifices and dreams. My message to other producers is to take care of their coffee and dare to participate, because these experiences help us grow, learn, and reach new goals. As I always say: "Coffee is my livelihood and my passion.