Tanzania Elton Farm

• Tasting notes pomegranate, warm spices, cocoa nibs
• Roast level light
• Region mbeya
• Varietal bourbon, n39
• Process washed
• Elevation 1600 m

The acidity is what makes this coffee truly shine. It leads with tart and bright pomegranate, before softening into familiar flavors of cocoa nib and baking spice. The body of this coffee lands in the middle—not too light or too heavy. This Tanzania lot is washed and grown at 1600 meters, which is why the fruit comes through clean and the finish stays dry.

Elton Farm is in Mbeya, and the coffee grows in the shade of avocado and macadamia trees. More than half the farm is given over to conservation rather than planting. Elton also runs as a collection point and washing station for growers in the surrounding hills, so their coffee passes through here on its way out.

If you lean toward light roasts and want one with spice and structure to it, this is the one to reach for. On the table it took well to V60, Aeropress and Chemex, and it rewards some fiddling, so it is worth moving your ratio or grind around to see where the spice settles.