Where is the Mondul Estate?

This 211-hectare farm can be found on Mondul Mountain, 25 km away from the local town of Burka in Northern Tanzania. This estate was established in 1931 but was acquired by Burka in 2007, combining it with two other estates under their management. These three farms (Burka, Selian & Mondul) have approximately 200 permanent staff and 200 daily casual staff. However, during the harvest season, a further 4,600 people can be involved in picking and processing the cherries.

The permanent staff are provided with housing in four different areas across the estates and are paid a salary that is 20% higher than the government minimum requirement. In addition to this, they also support their staff with a security and Labor Union membership, which is part of their contract. They also offer loans and advice to help with education, health, and house construction.

How does this estate implement sustainable practices?

The Burka Estates are home to a dedicated team of conservationists committed to preserving the natural beauty and ecology of the local area. They are primarily focused on caring for the Burka Forest and working to restore Burka Hill. Burka is the largest remaining indigenous forest in the Arusha region, and its preservation is crucial.

This beautiful area is the natural habitat of amazing wildlife, such as Dik Diks, Velvet Monkeys, and the last Baboon colony. It’s also a haven for over 120 species of birds, thanks to the expansive grassland and trees. To keep these precious habitats safe and protected around the clock, they have dedicated wildlife wardens who tirelessly monitor and safeguard the area.

How was this coffee processed?

The best cherries are handpicked, sorted, and processed using a Pinhalense de-mucilage that separates the coffee bean from the cherry. These machines are preferred to standard de-pulping machines as they can remove the layer around the bean using water and friction.

The beans are soaked in natural spring water, which can be recirculated before being disposed of in seepage pits. The leftover cherry pulp, which would otherwise be wasted, is mixed with worms to create an organic fertiliser which can be used across the estates. These are more ways this estate is being mindful and proactive about sustainability, which we strongly support at Two Chimps!

After soaking, the beans are taken out and carefully washed before being laid out on African drying tables. They are regularly turned during the first 48 hours to make sure they dry evenly. This process continues for about seven days until the beans reach the ideal moisture level of 8-12%.

Before the beans are packaged, a small batch is roasted and tested in Burka’s cupping lab to ensure top quality. After that, they are sent to Dar Es Salaam for export!

What does this coffee taste like?

This limited-edition brew is light, fruity, and extra creamy, with a luxurious chocolate orange base and delightful hints of peach and floral notes. Trust us- you don’t want to miss this; it’s coffee heaven!

Where does the name come from?

For all our awesome, grey-labelled coffees, we use the what3words location for the estate that grew them to name that coffee. So, when you type in “Beaded, Shabbiness and Sanest” on the what3words website, you can pinpoint exactly where your brew was grown! How cool is that?