Zambia AA - Issanya Estates

Kumquat, green tea, lemon bar

Bag Weight	60 KG BAG
Harvest Season	2020/21
Status	Spot
Lot Number	P607553-1

Alameda, CA: Out of Stock Bag(s)

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About This Coffee

This is a Zambia AA grade certified coffee from the Olam owned and operated Issanya Estate located in the Mafinga Hills subregion of Zambia's Northern Province. Issanya Estate is comprised of 1,600 hectares and ranges from 1500-1600 masl. The Kateshi & Issanya coffee estates cover a combined area of 2,438 hectares of land, of which 1,277 are planted with coffee, and 1,161 are dedicated conservation areas and buffer zones. Both estates carry Rainforest Alliance, Utz and 4C certification.

Country of Origin	Zambia
Harvest Season	2020/21
Coffee Grade	ZMB CA FW AA
Bag Type	Grain Pro / Ecotact
Plant Species	Arabica
Processing	Washed
Cup Score	84.5

Farm Name	Issanya Esates

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.