| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | Tanzania has several regions, north, south and west |
| African coffees tend towards the exotic in flavors as | | | | where coffee growing is found. These Arabica |
| compared to the more well know Latin American | | | | coffees are mostly of the washed and fully washed |
| coffees. These flavors include what’s | | | | varieties with the harvest season extending from |
| described as fruity and floral with high acidity and | | | | April through December. |
| medium body. Let’s review several of the | | | | Characteristics include a balanced body with bright |
| more popular African coffee growing countries. | | | | acidity and flavor. In the south we find more fruity |
| Kenya | | | | flavors. |
| The king of African coffees, washed Arabica Kenya | | | | Popular varieties include Kilamanjaro, Makambako, |
| coffee, is considered overall to be of the highest | | | | Songea and Bukoa. |
| quality on the continent as a result of years and | | | | Burundi |
| years of production, very high standards, superior | | | | This very small, but densely populated country |
| milling facilities and coffee experts. | | | | borders Tanzania, Congo and Rwanda with a |
| Located on the east coast of Africa, Kenya’s | | | | mountainous high plateau and tropical climate. A very |
| Mombasa port has been a natural focal point of | | | | poor country, most of its population survive through |
| commerce for ages. The famous Rift Valley of | | | | subsistence agriculture. Its coffee and tea earn 90% |
| Central Kenya where most of the people live. A | | | | of its export dollars. |
| fertile land from the tropical coasts, semi-desert | | | | Primarily a washed Arabica variety, the harvest |
| north and the savannahs in the south, Kenya’s | | | | season extends from February through June. |
| agricultural products, primarily tea and coffee, | | | | Characteristics include a full body and bright acidity, |
| contribute to half of the country’s exports. | | | | typical of east African coffees. A long way from the |
| The primary coffee growing regions are located | | | | ocean, processed coffee must be transported across |
| around Mt. Kenya, just north of Nairobi, the | | | | land through Tanzania to the port of Dar es Salaam |
| country’s capital. This region has two distinct | | | | or through Kenya to Mombasa. |
| rainy seasons; the first is April-June which results in | | | | Zambia |
| what’s called fly crop and the second | | | | Like Burundi, Zambia is a landlocked country lying just |
| is October-December with its increased rain produces | | | | north of Zimbabwe, but actually bordering seven |
| the main crop. | | | | countries in all. With its tropical climate and high |
| Characteristics include a high acidity, full body, intense | | | | savannah plateau, Zambia has a long rainy season |
| floral and fruity flavors. | | | | which goes from November through May. Although |
| Growing regions include: Meru, Kirinyaga, Muranga, | | | | primarily an Agrarian country, its economy is |
| Nyeri, Embu and several others. | | | | dependent on mining Copper, but reserves are |
| Ethiopia | | | | declining. As a result, the government is promoting |
| By most accounts considered the birthplace of | | | | agriculture and coffee production is increasing. |
| coffee, Ethiopia is located in northeast corner of | | | | The harvest season extends from October through |
| Africa just north of Kenya, next to Somalia, Djibouti | | | | March producing a full-bodied washed Arabica coffee |
| and Sudan. It is interesting to note that Ethiopia is the | | | | with the general qualities of an average African |
| leading coffee consuming country in Africa, | | | | variety. Raising quality is a priority and government |
| consuming almost half their annual production. | | | | experimental farms are helping to improve growing, |
| Ethiopian coffee is a prized coffee for its very unique | | | | harvesting and production techniques that are being |
| flavors, most often a result of a combination of soil, | | | | shared with the coffee growing community. |
| terrain, weather and often the natural drying process | | | | Malawi |
| of the coffee cherries in contrast to the washed | | | | Another landlocked coffee growing country located |
| processing of most Arabia coffees considered high | | | | at the southern end of the famous Rift Valley |
| quality Specialty varieties. | | | | between Zambia and Tanzania, Malawi produces a |
| Characteristics depending on the variety may include: | | | | small but good quality washed Arabica coffee |
| balanced medium body and acidity with winey sweet | | | | harvest. With a subtropical climate, its economy is |
| or floral flavors and blueberry notes. | | | | primarily agricultural with 90% of the population living |
| The most popular varieties in the United States are | | | | in rural communities. |
| Harar, Yirgacheffe and Sidamo. | | | | Although the country is a ward of the IMF and World |
| Tanzania | | | | Bank, independent coffee, tea, sugar and tobacco |
| The mainland is primarily a savannah plateau lying east | | | | farmers are producing the main exports. Coffee |
| of the famous Rift Valley, Tanzania includes the island | | | | production is difficult as irrigation is required as a |
| of Zanzibar. In the north lie Mount Kilimanjaro and the | | | | result of recent drought conditions and unpredictable |
| Serengeti National Park. With its tropical climate | | | | rainfall. This situation restricts coffee production |
| people are concentrated on the coastal region and in | | | | resulting in a small but quality coffee crop each year. |
| the north. Coffee is one of its main exports. | | | | |