Taste of Tanzania
Tanzania is an East African country known for its wealth of natural resources. It is the home of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak on the African continent, and for its incredible wildlife. Tourists come from all over the world to see Tanzania's wild chimpanzees and elephants, zebras, crocodiles, and many other African animals.
Coffee is also a significant part of Tanzania, with over $60,000,000 in revenue from coffee exports every year. However, coffee got a late start to cultivation in Tanzania. It only became a popular cash crop in the 1900s, long after many coffee-growing countries started in the 1800s.
History of Tanzania's Coffee
Although coffee crops came late, it's actual introduction to the country may have been as early as the 16th century. Rather than drink it as most people do today, however, it was chewed as a stimulant by the Haya tribe. The tribe valued coffee as a form of currency, and only the tribal leaders could authorize the growth of this crop. You could say it was like a form of coffee "dip."
Later, Germans colonized the area, which weakened the tribal leader's power over the crop. This allowed them to start producing coffee on a larger scale. Coffee growth tripled after this, with many people opting to grow coffee to support themselves. It is still a major crop today.
70% of the coffee grown in Tanzania is Arabica coffee, and much of it is grown on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro itself. They are taking advantage of the high elevations to grow crisp, beautiful coffee plants. Much of the coffee-growing areas in Tanzania, about 90%, are produced by small scale farmers. Coffee is an essential product for the region and helps lift many subsistence level farmers out of poverty.
Flavor Profile
Tanzanian coffee is very acidic, with a full-bodied flavor. It is unique from other coffees in that the coffee is usually hand sorted between types of beans. The type most commonly recognized as Tanzanian in the US are Peaberry beans. These small, round beans are different from the typical flat type of beans because they have a richer, fuller flavor and tend to produce a livelier cup. They're also incredibly rare. Only about 10% of all the beans grown are Peaberry beans.
Tanzanian coffee's acidity is sometimes referred to as wine-like, and the body is described as intense and creamy. There are also interesting notes of fruit and sometimes notes of cedar.
This makes Tanzanian coffee one of the most unique coffee experiences in the world, with a flavor distinct from other coffees, even those also grown in Africa.
Tanzanian coffee is a delicious treat. The Haya tribe was right to value it as a currency and a way of life. Suppose you are looking for a truly unique coffee experience set apart from the rest. In that case, Tanzanian coffee is the right choice for your cup.
World Trader Coffee is proud to stock both Tanzanian beans!