This is our sixth year serving this spectacular coffee from the Gamatui Community in Uganda. The community grows coffees above the town of Kapchorwa on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, the oldest volcano in East Africa. Their farms are in close proximity to Sipi Falls, which is the namesake for the Sipi Falls Mill. After harvesting coffee, the farmers deliver coffee cherries to the mill for processing.

In past years, we touched on the history of coffee production in Uganda and the evolution of quality after the liberalization of the country’s coffee sector in the ‘90s. Not so long ago, Uganda was best known for its DRUGAR, or Dried Ugandan Arabica. Under this production model, farmers were responsible for harvesting, processing, and drying coffee cherries before the product left their farm. This method was labor intensive and typically produced inconsistent results and lower quality coffee.

The transition to specialty coffee processing methods in Uganda has opened a lot of opportunities for local farmers. Kawacom is a sister company of Atlantic Specialty and operator of the Sipi Falls Mill. Farmers deliver freshly harvested cherries to the mill, which removes additional labor and expedites their payment. Sipi Falls manages the washing, drying, and milling processes to get the best out of the harvest. This increases quality and value of the cherry, resulting in a higher price for the farmers and ultimately a better standard of living.

Gamatui Community coffee represents a journey: from farm to mill, from hillside to café, from old methods to new. Anticipate a bright, sweet coffee with powerful fruity notes and a delightful, dense molasses finish.