Songwa Estates Manor funded Project to improve Coffee quality from the Source

Manor project

The three leading manufacturers in the boutique coffee market-La Marzocco, Mahlk?nig and Probat-teamed up in 2007 to establish Songwa Estates, a non-profit organization that aims to:

Educate employees, customers and all people working in the coffee field to learn a lot about the complexity of coffee, including planting, harvesting and the handling of raw beans.

Provide assistance to local coffee-dependent communities and provide partial financial assistance for the "support Songwa" project.

When we are silent about things, our lives come to an end.

The three-day in-depth education course covers every step of the coffee growing process: from sowing, harvesting, handling to the final export of raw beans; from coffee theory to personal practice and training on the manor.

The course is directed by Thomas Plattner, an agronomist and coffee expert with more than 25 years of experience.

This open communication from a number of partners and surrounding communities continues to this day. Since 2011, two schools have been rebuilt, four classrooms have been renovated and sanitation facilities have been established for Muvwa Primary School, which has 300 children.

Most of their parents work on the manor year after year. Before Songwa partners intervened, there was no water or toilet in the house (if you have to go to the toilet, go to a place near your home).

In the dark classroom, even the ground is not tidy, it is still primitive mud.

Songwa Manor, certified by the Rainforest Alliance and Utz Kapeh standards, is 900km from Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, covering a total area of 59 hectares: currently 25 hectares are used for coffee farming and 8 hectares have yet to be developed.

The area is about 1450 meters above sea level and Bourbon coffee beans have been grown for 80 years.

Raw bean

Since January 2017, the Songwa Estates raw bean brand has been officially on sale in the international market. Coffee beans are fully washed bourbon trees, and are sold in both AA and PB grades.

Arabica coffee beans are grown on a plateau 1450 meters above sea level in Songwa Estates. The fertile soil, rich in minerals and nutrients, stems from more than 100 years of volcanic eruptions and hot springs nourishment. The local climate is pleasant, warm in winter and cool in summer, accompanied by seasonal rainy season climate. The manor uses the traditional East African way to produce raw beans. After a series of treatment, washing and natural fermentation, it was insolated for another 12 days.

This coffee bean has a smooth taste, ranging from moderate to strong texture and excellent acidity. The texture is mellow and has a dark chocolate aftertaste. It can be roasted to varying degrees, regardless of drip filtration, pressure or espresso brewing. But its most suitable baking degree is to make a cup of espresso.