This month, we’re excited to showcase a special addition to our exclusive filter range: a gesha coffee from the lesser-known coffee-producing country: ‘Tanzania’. Although still emerging in the specialty coffee scene, Tanzania is quickly gaining recognition for its exquisite micro-lots, including our gesha, sourced from the scenic northern highlands.
At the Acacia Hills Coffee Farm, nestled in the highest region of the area, Leon Christianakis cultivates our gesha under the protective canopy of tall acacia trees, which lend their name to the farm. We were instantly charmed by Leon’s story and the gesha he produces.
Leon hails from one of Tanzania's oldest coffee-growing families. His grandparents immigrated from Greece at the beginning of the last century and began their journey in coffee cultivation. As a third-generation farmer, Leon discovered specialty coffee around twenty years ago and sought out higher altitudes to enhance the quality of his beans. In 2005, he partnered with Mark Stell, the founder of Portland Coffee Roasters in the U.S., and together they acquired a coffee plantation on Mount Oldeani, now known as Acacia Hills, which boasts rich soil and a remarkable microclimate ideal for premium coffee production.
The Acacia Hills Coffee Farm itself is located on the southwestern slope of Mount Oldeani, it stands as the highest coffee farm in Tanzania. From its vantage point, one can catch a glimpse of the Ngorongoro crater, an ancient volcanic caldera that now nurtures a diverse array of wildlife, including lions, elephants, leopards, and giraffes.
Acacia Hills exemplifies how enhancing crop quality and working direct trade can lead to significant socioeconomic benefits. Except for paying the farmer a true price for their coffee they use part of their profit to contribute to improving infrastructure for local communities and agriculture.
Like many of you, we have a fondness for gesha (IYKYK) —a unique coffee variety originally from Ethiopia, celebrated for its outstanding flavor profile, particularly when cultivated at high elevations. We selected this gesha from Acacia Hills because it truly embodies the exceptional quality that Tanzania has to offer, showcasing the country's immense potential in the coffee world.
Tanzania Gesha
Available in 200 g whole beans, light roast with delicate floral hints of rosehip and tangerine.
Find it here!