Zambia Kateshi Estate

TASTING NOTES:

Lime candy, boozy, toasted nuts

ROAST:

Medium

COFFEE PROFILE:

History of Coffee in Zambia

Zambian coffee cultivation began in 1978 on the site of Olam’s Ngoli Estate. Supported by an energetic and proactive Zambia Coffee Growers’ Association (ZCGA), production expanded rapidly throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, peaking just under 7,000 metric tons.

However, the international coffee price crisis from 1998 to 2004 dealt a severe blow to the sector. Most farms required capital-intensive upgrades, particularly modern irrigation systems, that growers could no longer afford. Collapsing market prices forced the majority of estates to abandon coffee for alternative crops.

The industry's resurgence began in 2012 when Olam acquired the northern estates and injected major capital into the region. Today, Olam’s coffee enterprise, NCCL, stands as both the premier coffee producer and the largest single employer in Zambia.

The Process

Only the finest cherries are harvested through a rigorous double hand-selection process, guaranteeing that over 98% are fully mature and perfectly ripe. These selected cherries are then spread in thin layers across raised beds and turned frequently over a 3 to 4 week period to ensure uniform drying.