TRADITIONAL
Nº 291 Tanzania Mbili Twiga
Country: Tanzania
Process: Washed
Grown / Region: Kilimanjaro & Arusha
Altitude: 1400m - 1800m
Varietals: Bourbon (N39), Kent
Producers: Smallholders
Tasting Notes: Blackberry, Caramel, Cocoa
Roast Level: Dark 5/5
This coffee is grown within the regions of Kilimanjaro and Arusha on the North Eastern side of Tanzania close to the Kenyan border. The coffee is produced by smallholders who farm an average just 1 hectare of coffee trees! In order to access the global coffee market, it is common for smallholders to be members of larger co-operatives (in this case Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societies AMCOS & Rural Cooperative Societies RCS).
In this region dark volcanic soils provide the coffee trees with valuable nutrients and reduce the need for fertilizers. Most of the farms also utilize shade crops (Acacias, for example) to protect the coffee from the midday sun, and to cultivate a rich habitat for local wildlife.
After harvest, the coffee is pulped, washed and dried on raised beds or patios, before being prepped for export.
Mbili Twiga translates as Two Giraffes, chosen to symbolise coming together. The coffee is produced by smallholders in the region with some pulping, washing and drying on their own land, and others delivering to community mills. This coffee represents that variety and complexity that exists with the coffee supply chain. Darkly roasted, this coffee retains fruit flavours of blackberry and citrus. The roasting process develops the natural sugars which become like sweet caramel and rich cocoa
DISCOVERY
Nº 293 Indonesia Wahana Estate
Country: Indonesia
Process: Washed
Grown / Region: Sidikalang, North Sumatra
Altitude: 1250m - 1450m
Varietals: Rasuna
Producers: Wahana Estate
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon, Marmalade, Brown Sugar
Roast Level: Medium 3/5
Farm Notes:The Wahana Estate was established is 2005, and has incorporated experimentation, micro-lot programs and varietal separation into their day to day operations. This lot is comprised of the Rasuna varietal, which is a hybrid of Catimor and Typica (other Arabica varieties). It benefits from the high yield of Catimors, and long lifespan of the Typicas.
The Estate owns and operates its own wet mill. Here, they process their coffees using different methods. Traditionally, Indonesia is home to the wet-hulled process (Giling Basah), but this particular lot uses the washed process. Washed coffees undergo a pulping, soaking and washing that removes all the fruit skin, pulp and mucilage - giving the coffee a crisp acidity, clarity and sweetness. However, the coffee still retains much of the traditional flavour notes of the region of cocoa and warm spice.
As well as focussing on coffee quality, the estate invests heavily in the local community. It provides free housing, water and electricity to its workers. There is also a free nursery, health centre and kindergarten on site.
The Wahana Estate occupies 468 hectares of land, with 250 dedicated to coffee growing, and 30 for a seedling nursery. This particular lot has typical flavour notes associated with the region, warm spice and caramelised sugar, but with an extra level of refinement from the washed process. This method removes all the coffee cherry pulp before drying and can enhance the citrussy notes of the beans within. The roasting here allows the orange notes to shine, but they are well balanced by brown sugar and cinnamon.
