$473.55
This organic fully washed ‘Kivu 3’ lot is from Mukwinja washing station in South Kivu, one of 8 such stations operated by Virunga Coffee Company, set up by Schluter Ltd. (now Covoya Europe) in 2012 to produce specialty coffees in eastern DRC and improve livelihoods for smallholder farmers in the region. Mukwija works with 699 farmers in South Kivu, who cultivate at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,500masl.
Despite the high potential of the coffees around Mukwinja, smallholder production is characterised by a very small farm size, lack of infrastructure for coffee processing and lack of access to high-quality markets. Virunga Coffee is providing technical assistance to coffee farmers on regenerative agriculture practices, as well as access to coffee inputs, namely high-quality coffee seedlings to increase farming productivity, and thus profitability. Our goal is to increase economic opportunities from coffee farming in South Kivu.
Country of Origin | Democratic Republic of Congo |
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Harvest Season | 2022/23 |
Coffee Grade | DRC CA WA KIVU G3 |
Bag Type | Grain Pro / Ecotact |
Plant Species | Arabica |
Processing | Washed |
Variety | Bourbon, Typica |
Region | Kalehe, South Kivu |
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Farm Name | Various smallholders |
Growing Altitude | >1500m |
Soil | Volcanic, sandy clay |
Certifications | Organic certified |
The history of Zambian coffee seems familiar: men in Holy Orders of one sort or another arrive and plant seeds. But in the case of Zambia, missionaries did not introduce coffee farming until the 1950s. By the time commercial coffee production began in Zambia, the British had considerable experience in starting and operating coffee plantations in India, Kenya, and elsewhere. Planting coffee was an attempt to decrease a dependence on copper exports. Not surprisingly, the emphasis was on yield and production efficiencies. Plantations were large and orderly, grown in full sun on flat land, and processed in large wet mills wherever possible. Nevertheless Zambia made almost no appearance whatsoever on the world coffee stage until coffee was officially exported for the first time in 1985.
The Northern province has the best conditions for arabica coffee cultivation in Zambia with its relative proximity to the equator and abundant altitude (Mafinga Hills being the highest point in the country at 2,300 masl). Most coffee grows from 1300 – 2300 masl. Zambia produces both washed and naturally processed coffee and has introduced some honey processing. A wide range of varieties including Catimor 129, Castillo, Java, and other trial varieties. Specialty grades are AAA, AA, AB and Peaberry.
Consistency is key when sample roasting. Yet, your first crack won’t always happen at the same time, which makes it difficult to know when to end your roast. Use this guide to know when to discharge depending on how long it took you to reach first crack.
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