Zambia RFA AAA/AA Natural (2019 Crop)

As per sample

Bag Weight	60 KG BAG
Harvest Season	2018/19
Status	Spot
Lot Number	P600535-1

Carteret, NJ: Out of Stock Bag(s)

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About This Coffee

The Olam Coffee Estate Company in Zambia was started in 2012. It is both the largest coffee producer in Zambia and now the largest employer in the country. Kateshi coffee estate, as one of the first coffee estates in Zambia, was established in 1972 close to Kateshi village. Back then, its wet processing facilities represented the heart of coffee production in northern Zambia having been the central mill for all coffee produced in the region. Kateshi has been recognized for boldly challenging the gender stereotypes in Zambia, being the first and only coffee estate to employ women for traditionally male-dominated roles such as driving tractors and even larger equipment like road graders and bulldozers. A strong focus on gender equality makes this coffee directly contribute to the empowerment of women – and this is not restricted to the farm; the new found sense of independence and pride also spills over into the neighbouring communities.

Country of Origin	Zambia
Harvest Season	2018/19
Coffee Grade	ZMB CA FW AA
Bag Type	Grain Pro / Ecotact
Plant Species	Arabica
Processing	Natural/Dry Processed
Cup Score	86.5

Farm Name	Kateshi and Ngoli Estates
Certifications	Rainforest Alliance

History of Coffee in Zambia

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.

Growing Coffee in Zambia

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.