Mt Elgon Washed

A selection of washed processed coffees from all of the Zukuka Bora buying sites, a blend of all the quirks and qualities found in Bulaago, Bududa, Bukhanakwa, Budwale, Wanale, Sipi and Muyanda. Coffee is purchased from producers at one of these sites, where Zukuka Bora strives to pay above competitors in the regions, also providing a secondary bonus payment in the off season when money is tight and school fees are due. Each producer’s coffee will be floated on site and the coffee falling outside of the density range returned. If possible the coffee will be processed in each region, or sent down to the main facility in Muyanda which has the capacity to process and dry much more volume than some remote sites. The coffee is then pulped, removing the fruit and revealing the seeds inside and trickled into large concrete baths where it will be fermented in fresh water for 24-48 hours. Once the sticky mucilage has been removed from the seeds they are then spread thinly on raised beds until dry. The Muyanda wet mill is run by Ronald and the drying beds managed by Vicky, their teams working in unison to manage the limited, valuable space playing Tetris with the different processes drying times and the never ending parade of Hilux loads of fresh cherry arriving. The combination of coffees will vary in region and volume each year, this harvest we are enjoying a crisp pear acidity, fig jam and milk chocolate sweetness. This coffee is an opportunity for all producers who would like to work with Zukuka Bora, as it levels the playing field and welcomes people with acres of trees, high up the mountain as much as someone with a few trees in their yard who lives at the base closer to town. Each individual contributes to the complexity and character of Mt Elgon washed and allows the impact of Zukuka Bora to increase its reach within Uganda but also globally.