Shade-grown in volcanic soil at altitudes above 2,500 feet, coffee trees on the slopes of Mt. Meru have ideal growing conditions. Site visits conducted by Project members in 2000, 2002 and 2003 found well-tended, healthy trees.

Coffee trees produce one crop per year with a picking season averaging three to four months in length as the fruit slowly develops to a red ripe cherry. During this time individual cherries reach their peak of ripeness and a labor intensive daily picking is required.

Once picked, the cherry coffee must be processed immediately in a primary processing technique. This consists of pulping to separate the fruit from the coffee bean, fermenting and washing to remove sugars of the fruit and then slowly drying over a period of several days. This is the single most important process in producing a quality coffee bean and a rich flavorful cup of coffee.

The Makumira Farm, once a flourishing coffee estate, is now part of the Ministry of the Diocese of Meru. The estate is being redeveloped for training in crop care and improvement through the use of demonstration plots. The existing primary processing facilities are being refurbished with new equipment to begin operation in 2004. This facility will provide primary processing to local farmers now having to carry their coffee long distances.

Members of the project growers association take great pride in their coffee and they deliver the very best freshly picked cherry coffee to their local cooperatives for primary processing.

Once the coffee beans are dried, they are further processed to remove a parchment hull. Graded by size and taste-tested in a process called "cupping", the beans are then given a classification rating indicating their quality.

To be considered for Mt. Meru Select Tanzanian Coffee the coffee must be approved by our Liquorer and roasters. This ensures that only the highest quality coffee beans are used in your cup of coffee.

To ensure that you receive the very best in freshly roasted coffee, Mt. Meru Select Tanzanian Coffee is roasted to order weekly and is shipped within 1 week of receiving your order.