The Coffee Yards 96 Hour Natural | Uganda | Natural

Description

Norman Mukuru started his career as an agronomist in his home region of Kasese, near Uganda's western border. He pursued further education as an agronomical engineer and applied his attention to coffee in the area. One of the largest exporters in the region—Great Lakes—recruited him to set up their collection and processing operations, which he did so successfully that they asked him to travel east, to Mt. Elgon, to do it again there. This time, though, Norman wanted to set up something for himself, and so he founded The Coffee Yards—a central processing plant outside of Mbale town where parchment and cherry from up the mountain could come for better drying and professional processing. He originally opened this up as a service for farmers who would rent space in the yards, but as security concerns emerged, and as Norman perceived greater opportunity for processing efficiency, standardization, and payment acceleration, Norman pivoted toward purchasing all cherry himself. When Great Lakes collapsed, Norman was left with The Coffee Yards and all of its up-mountain networks, but lacked the financing to continue purchasing and operations. Our Importer is lucky and honored to have met Norman at a time in his career when he was open to applying his attention to specialty exports, and we hope to remain a key partner has his business grows and becomes more and more sustainable. COUNTRY Uganda LOT The Coffee Yards, 96 Hour Natural REGION: Mt. Elgon ALTITUDE (MASL): 1400 - 2000 VARIETALS: SL14, SL28, Nyasaland TASTING NOTES: Strawberry, banana, chocolate sauce, cherry brownie, Extended natural: whole cherries are sealed for ~96-hour dry fermentation, then slowly dried on raised beds with careful shade management to protect the fruit.