Tanzania - Mbili Twiga Peaberry
A blend of peaberry beans from the areas of Arusha and Kilimanjaro. Mbili Twiga translates as two giraffes, a symbol of coming together.
Process: Fully Washed
Altitude: 1400-1800
Roast: Medium
Strength: 3/5
Characteristics: Blackberry, citrus, raspberry, chamomile, toffee.
The Karatu estate in Arusha borders Ngorongoro National Park, and is located in Ngorongoro crater (the worlds largest inactive caldera). The dark volcanic soil provides nutrients for the coffee plants and Umbrella Acacias provide the coffee trees with shade from the sun. With 200 hectares of coffee, peak season will see employment for around 500 workers from the area. Cherries here are picked ripe and brought to the processing station where they are washed and fermented for 36-42 hours. Washed again and soaked, the coffee is finally dried on raised beds.
The Makiidi RCS co-operative in Kilimanjaro provides 'home processed' coffee from local smallholders. Established in 1983 in the Rombo district, the average smallholder here has less than 1 hectare, with around only half a hectare growing coffee. In total, Makiidi RCS produces around 300 bags per year. Local challenges with central processing units means commonly the coffee is ‘home processed’; picked pulped, fermented and washed on the farm, before drying under the sun on patios or raised beds.