The slopes of Mt. Elgon in the East (bordering Kenya) are ideally suited for the production of
high quality specialty coffee. The mountain ranges to the east and west are home to Uganda’s Arabica farmers. The Rwenzoris are a mountain range famously known as the ‘Mountains of the Moon. They stretch for 120 kilometres along the Western Uganda border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The slopes of this range are where the government of Uganda is promoting coffee production as a key driver for rural development.

Most farmers have around 1 hectare of land, and all work on the farm is conducted by hand, usually by immediate family members. Families work together in groups, usually community based but sometimes also extended family groups, to process and market their coffee, an approach known as ‘share farming. This helps improve processing, better control quality and increases their marketing ability.

This coffee was processed using the washed method. Once delivered the coffee is floated, pulped, and fermented overnight in large steel tanks. The following morning, the coffee is washed through channels, graded, and is then moved to dry on raised beds inside polytunnels. It will stay here for around 15 days, and drying is controlled by turning the coffee regularly and maintaining an equal depth of cherry on the beds. The coffee will dry until it reaches optimal humidity.

Kyagalanyi is ISO accredited and UTZ certified. Wages are based on the role the individual is carrying out, market rate comparisons, cost of living and individual performance. They have in place a number of initiatives which support employee welfare such as a subsidised lunch, 21 days annual leave, medical insurance or access to medical facilities financially covered by the company, access to clean drinking water at all times and employee suggestion boxes at all sites.

Taste: Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon

Roast: Medium

Strength: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5