Clear Lake Coffee Roasters: Coffee Origins Series- Zambia - March 19, 2022

Zambia

The story of how green coffee came to Zambia seems familiar: men in Holy Orders arrive and plant seeds. But in the case of Zambia, missionaries did not introduce coffee farming until the 1950's. Coffee plantings were an attempt to move away from copper and diversify exports. 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. The efforts met with little success. Zambia did not formally export coffee until 1985. Over the last decade, however, there has been a shift to quality driven production and supporting smallholder farms.

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.  

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