Tier 1- Tanzania Mbeya Natural 2024

Tasting Notes: Tropical Fruit, Strawberry, Brown Sugar, Clementine, Tea-like

Processing Method: Natural 

Varietal: Bourbon

Elevation: 1600 meters

The Grivas family took up stewardship of GDM Farm over 20 years ago, and as the second generation to manage one of the few Tanzanian-owned coffee estates, Richard Grivas has his sights set on improving quality and the local community through the farm. Over 200 seasonal workers are part of GDM’s operation, and the farm also supports a network of smallholders living in the surrounding vicinity.

Only around 5% of Tanzania’s green coffee comes from large estates. GDM Farm spans 400 hectares at an altitude of 1980msl in the southern highlands near the Mbozi meteorite that was discovered in the 1930s.

The cherries are hand-sorted to separate perfectly ripe, overripe, and underripe fruits before they’re set out to dry on raised beds. It can take up to 21 days to dry a harvest, depending on the weather, and the cherries are turned often to ensure even drying and good quality. GDM Farm also has a milling station on the estate, where the dried cherries go to be prepped for export.

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