Flavor Profile of Tanzania|Chagga AAA-Ruvuma Coffee

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style)

FrontStreet Coffee Tanzania Coffee Beans | Chagga AAA - Ruvuma Coffee Flavor?

FrontStreet Coffee's Tanzania coffee beans are primarily of the Arabica variety, processed using the natural washed method. The coffee grading follows the same system as Kenya, with AAA grade being the best. Coffee sales are conducted through both specialty auction and direct sales channels. In 2010, FrontStreet Coffee introduced coffee from the new season's Ruvuma growing region. The green coffee beans display an emerald green color, with large, uniformly sized beans that show higher consistency than Kenyan AA grade, featuring better hemispherical shapes.

Tanzania Coffee Origin and Characteristics

East Africa is home to many excellent coffee-producing regions, including well-known Kenya, Ethiopia, and Rwanda. Tanzania is another East African country that produces fine coffee. Premium Tanzanian coffee offers gentle acidity and enticing aromas, representing an absolutely worthwhile experience. Coffee exports play an important role in Tanzania's entire national economy. The production of Peaberry coffee beans is substantial, and they are said to be more aromatic than regular coffee beans. Generally speaking, Tanzanian coffee beans possess exceptional quality. For example, the premium Tanzanian Chagga AA coffee (Chagga AA) produced in the Moshi region near Mount Kilimanjaro is renowned for its full, plump beans and fragrant, aromatic quality.

Industry Challenges and Recovery

Due to political instability and rampant pest infestations, Tanzania's coffee industry suffered damage, leading to overall declines in coffee quality and consistency. These issues in turn caused price reductions, and the result of lower prices typically leads to further decline in the coffee industry. Notably, it is estimated that from 1969 to 1985, over 12% of Arabica coffee grown in northern Tanzania was smuggled to Kenya. However, there have been recent signs of improvement in the country's coffee industry. Although this recovery process is slow, it remains encouraging because Tanzanian coffee quality is indeed superior.

Modern Coffee Production Structure

In the past, Tanzania's coffee industry was dominated by estate plantations, whereas now over 85% is grown by small farmers. Many small farmers have formed cooperative organizations, with the most important being the Kilimanjaro Cooperative Union (KNCU). Tanzanian coffee is sold through auctions by the Tanzanian Coffee Marketing Board (TCMB) to private exporters. In the 1980s, most Tanzanian coffee sales shifted from auction format to direct sales to the Tanzanian Coffee Marketing Board. This situation has now changed, and the coffee industry is undergoing reforms to eventually allow individuals or groups to purchase coffee. At that time, coffee will also be graded by different methods to attract buyers from Germany, Finland, Belgium, and Japan.

Ruvuma Region and Quality Improvements

Coffee is Tanzania's largest agricultural crop, with approximately 450,000 people engaged in coffee-related agriculture. Due to its proximity to Kenya, Tanzanian coffee flavor profiles are similar to Kenyan coffee. However, inconvenient transportation and outdated coffee processing equipment often lead to coffee contamination during shipping or damage caused by insufficient processing facilities, creating poor impressions of Tanzanian coffee. People generally perceive Tanzanian coffee as having less fresh acidity and milder flavors. However, in recent years, the southern Ruvuma growing region near the Indian Ocean has advantages in convenient transportation. Additionally, a system of advance orders with European and American green bean buyers, where coffee is only produced after orders are placed, ensures coffee quality.

Brewing Analysis

Analysis: Using a three-stage brewing method to clearly distinguish the flavors in the early, middle, and late stages. Because the V60 has many ridges and drains quickly, stopping the water flow can extend the extraction time.

Light Roast Profile (City Roast)

Light roast ending at first crack (City): After grinding, there are distinct lively peanut and almond nut aromas. During brewing, apple and grape fruit aromas emerge. The sweet taste is balanced and stable without complexity. The hawthorn plum acidity is not stimulating or intense, with acid quickly transforming to sweetness that rapidly develops between the cheeks. The aftertaste features an elegant floral tea sensation that is持久 and comfortable. This is very suitable for friends new to acidic coffee - not particularly acidic, with a sweet-tart style that easily attracts people.

Dark Roast Profile (Full City Roast)

Dark roast beginning at second crack (Full City): After grinding, there are strong cheese and bread aromas. After brewing, the coffee has dark chocolate and caramel aromas. The sweetness of malt toffee and milk candy creates a not-bitter, sweet, rounded, and mild mouthfeel. The aftertaste briefly presents fermented fruit tea aroma that quickly transforms to the rich fragrance of almonds and nuts.

Overall Flavor Characteristics

Flavor: FrontStreet Coffee Tanzania coffee gives people the feeling of being very sweet, very smooth, and very easy to drink. It wins with its non-acidic, mild, and varied chocolate sweetness, often making people think they're drinking a high-quality Colombian coffee.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommended Brewing:

Dripper: Hario V60
Water Temperature: 90°C
Grind Size: Fuji grind setting 3.5
Brewing Method: Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15, 15g coffee grounds. First pour 25g water for 25s bloom. Second pour to 120g water, then stop pouring. Wait until the water level in the coffee bed drops to half, then continue pouring. Slowly pour until reaching 225g total water. Extraction time approximately 2:00.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473