Uganda – Zebigi
This coffee was grown high in the Ugandan mountains near the village of Zebigi and processed by Coffee Gardens. The coffee company has a station below the mountain where most farmers live; they know all of them in person. They blend the coffee into micro lots by combining coffees with similar flavor characteristics processed on the same day.
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Coffee Gardens was founded in 2017 to produce great specialty coffee ethically and offer a transparent and direct connection between coffee growers and consumers. Last year, our export company Falcon, with the support of the roasters, trained farmers belonging to Coffee Gardens in growing coffee among shade trees, good agricultural practices, and better harvesting techniques. In July, Falcon distributed over 8,300 seedlings of shade, fruit, and fast-growing trees. This year the training continues, and the company TCG is also building toilet blocks for three primary schools in the area to improve the quality of life in the area.
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Within hours of harvest, the coffee cherries are carried to the processing station in fifty-pound bags by ‘runners’ – a team of more than 160 men and women employed from the local community. This coffee is pulped before undergoing a signature fermentation method involving a pre-wash, a long soak in cold mountain spring water, and a gentle long fermentation lasting forty hours before a final wash. This coffee is meticulously sorted at 12 different stages before export.
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The SL14 variety is typical of Uganda and Kenya. It is tolerant of drought and cold, has light brown leaves, taller stature and is highly productive. Unfortunately, it is susceptible to diseases and pests. SL28 is grown in Malawi and Zimbabwe in addition to Uganda and Kenya. It also tolerates drought and is popular for its great taste. However, like its ‘sister’ it is susceptible to disease. Nyasaland is characterised by its high quality and good flavour potential, light brown leaves and tall stature. It is particularly popular with smallholder farmers in Uganda.
