What fun and festive flavours can you look forward to in this Christmas coffee?

This year, we really wanted to capture all those cosy, nostalgic flavours that remind us of Christmas (even if it can be a bit tricky to think about during coffee tasting in August!). But we’ve done it!

Give a warm welcome to this medium/dark speciality brew from Sable Farm in Malawi. This amazing coffee features a rich chocolate base that’s perfectly paired with smooth hazelnut praline. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, there’s a sweet touch of toffee apple and a hint of zesty orange peel to enjoy, too. We really think you’re going to love it, but hey, don’t just take our word for it…

Try it now!

Where was this coffee grown?

Malawi has come a long way in its coffee journey. After facing some ups and downs in coffee cultivation, this country in southeast Africa has built a fantastic reputation for its incredible speciality Arabica coffee. The hard work and dedication of local farmers have truly paid off!

Malawi is a landlocked country with over 400 miles of lakefront land, thanks to Lake Malawi, which takes up one-third of the country. First cultivated in 1878, coffee has been grown by small farmers and European producers across the country. However, it wasn’t until the 1950s that the industry boomed. The government recognised its global demand and distributed seeds as an initiative to increase cultivation. This proved successful, and it quickly became a prominent cash crop.

This scheme proved extremely successful in the northernmost highlands in the Misuku Hills. In its success, dozens of smallholders started growing coffee, and in 1957, they formed the Misuku Coffee Growers Cooperative Society, which is still operating today!

Who produced this coffee?

These beans are the product of the hard workers on Sable Farm. This smallholder has grown coffee for over 30 years alongside other products like macadamia nuts and dairy. Like most African countries, coffee thrives in this area due to the East African Rift Valley. This provides the perfect combination for Arabica growth: high altitudes and nutrient-rich volcanic soil.

Sable Farming Company Ltd. is the country’s only existing incorporated coffee producer, but many smaller coffee estates like this are scattered nationwide and have a long history of farming cooperatives and unions.

While coffee exports may only account for less than 5% compared to other industries like sugar and tobacco, amazing speciality coffees like this are giving the industry an excellent reputation. Plus, with fair wages being a priority, farmers throughout the country are encouraged to focus on quality over quantity, which bodes well for the industry’s future!

The nuts and bolt

Roast Style: Medium/Dark

Location: Mangochi, Southern Malawi

Varietal(s): Batian, Catimor 129, Caturra, SL28

Processing: Washed

Altitude: 1,150-1,300 metres above sea level

Country: Malawi

Producer: Sable Farm

Certification: Speciality

Score: 83