TANZANIA
Kilimanjaro

In Tanzania, Arabica coffee mostly grows in the northern part of the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, under the shade of banana plants. This exotic characteristic of the plantation gives particular aromatic hints to the coffee grown in this region.

Tanzanian coffees tend to have a very pleasant aroma, with balanced acidity and a particularly rich body.
The sweetness and the balanced notes are due to the minerals present in the volcanic soil. The high altitudes create a microclimate
that is very favorable to the aromatic development of coffee. There is even a freshwater spring that can be seen near the plantation
that contributes to making Kilimanjaro a particularly appreciated coffee.

SHADOW PLANTATIONS

Shadow coffee, also known shade-grown coffee, is a unique form of cultivation that includes tall trees (banana trees are commonly used) in the design of the coffee plantation,  that act as shields to direct sunlight. The direct exposure to the sun guarantees a larger harvest but the period of maturation of the cherries is less uniform. Furthermore, full-sun plants usually require a greater fertilization treatment because they transpire more. In order to keep the metabolic functions stable during the various hours of sun exposure, the soil nutrient demand is very high. On the contrary, shading ensures a higher relative humidity by reducing the temperature and, consequently, evaporation and transpiration. Moreover, it delays the ripening of the cherry, thus favoring a greater development of sugars, producing a more aromatic and full-bodied coffee.