An Introduction to the Mbeya Coffee Region in Tanzania, Africa

Tanzania's Coffee Origins and Historical Development

In Africa, there are many well-known coffee-producing countries, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Although Tanzania is not as famous as its neighbor Kenya, it can also produce high-quality coffee.

Coffee first became an economic crop in Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika) during German colonial rule, when Arabica coffee trees were primarily planted in the Bukoba region. However, the cultivation methods differed from those of the local Haya people, who were therefore unwilling to replace food crops with coffee trees, resulting in slow development.

After World War I, control of this region transferred to the British. They planted over 10 million coffee seedlings in Bukoba, but again encountered conflicts with the Haya people, with seedlings often being uprooted. As a result, compared to Tanzania's Chagga region, the coffee industry here did not develop significantly.

It wasn't until Tanzania's independence in 1961 that focus shifted to the coffee industry. Beginning in the 1990s, Tanzania's coffee industry underwent a series of reforms. Unfortunately, the spread of coffee branch disease in the late 1990s greatly reduced coffee production in northern Tanzania, leading to the transfer of main cultivation areas to the southern regions and Mount Kilimanjaro area. Thanks to the country's terrain and climate, coffee cultivation became one of Tanzania's main agricultural economic crops.

Tanzania's Geography and Climate

Tanzania is located in eastern Africa, south of the equator, bordering multiple African countries, making it a nation with both land and sea access. The country's terrain is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. The eastern coast consists of lowlands, while the western highlands account for half of the country's total area. The East African Rift Valley runs north-south from Lake Malawi, dividing into eastern and western branches, and includes Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.

Due to its proximity to the equator, the eastern coast and some inland lowlands have a tropical savanna climate, while the western inland highlands have a tropical mountain climate, with average annual temperatures ranging from 21°C to 26°C. Although the country receives relatively little rainfall, with 80% of regions receiving less than 1000 millimeters annually, Tanzania has numerous rivers and lakes, providing abundant water resources.

Tanzania's Coffee Regions

Tanzania's coffee cultivation is currently divided into nine regions, with relatively well-known ones being Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Ruvuma, Mbeya, Tarime, and Kigoma. Ninety percent of Tanzania's coffee is produced by 450,000 small farmers, while the remaining 10% comes from larger estates, making cooperative models predominant.

Among these, Kilimanjaro (where "Kilima" means mountain and "Njaro" refers to shining brilliance) is the most famous. Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the entire African continent, mainly composed of three dormant volcanoes: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, reaching up to 5,895 meters, while coffee is cultivated at altitudes of 1,050-2,500 meters.

The high altitude, volcanic soil, and pure meltwater sources make this area most suitable for coffee cultivation. FrontStreet Coffee offers a washed Typica from the Kilimanjaro region, which tastes of gentle acidity with citrus, berry, honey, and nutty flavors, featuring a soft, tea-like mouthfeel and overall balance.

In addition, there are many coffee regions with excellent quality, such as Mbeya, located in the surrounding areas of Mbeya city in southwestern Tanzania, serving as the main agricultural capital and trade center in the country's southwestern region.

This area features many highlands and basins, with volcanoes such as Mount Rungwe. The lowlands are hot and dry, but the highlands where coffee is grown are cool and humid. Coffee is cultivated at altitudes around 1,660 meters, benefiting from fertile volcanic ash soil. With lakes to the west and southeast, water resources are abundant, enabling the production of high-quality coffee. There are also many well-known cooperatives here, such as Iyenga Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Society (Iyenga AMCOS).

Iyenga Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Society (Iyenga AMCOS) was established in 2003 and primarily collects coffee in the Mbeya region, collaborating with over 500 local coffee farmers. It has significant local influence due to its strong commitment to democracy. All leaders are democratically elected, and it encourages young people and women to participate in coffee and cooperative activities. Additionally, there is a team responsible for coffee cultivation and processing to ensure quality.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473