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    Home » Single Origin Coffee Beans » African Coffees

    Uganda Coffee Beans

    Most coffee grown in Uganda (80%) is of the varietal varietal Robusta (Coffea canephora var. robusta), with the other 20% comprising Arabica varietals Typica, SL 14, SL 28 and Kent. Also grown in Uganda is the Arabica cultivar Bugishu / Bugisu (Coffea arabica var. bugishu), which is grown near Sipi Falls on the western slopes of Mt. Elgon, one of Uganda's largest mountains.

    • Region: Uganda (Bugisu)
    • Growing Altitude: 1,300 - 2,200 meters
    • Variety: Arabica (Typica, SL 14, SL 28, Kent)
    • Harvest Period: October - February
    • Milling Process: Fully Washed
    • Aroma: Woodsy, Orange Zest
    • Flavour: Orange, Fruity, Pekoe Tea
    • Body: Smooth
    • Acidity: Winey

    Generally, the coffee growing regions are divided into:

    • West Nile (Okoro - bordering on Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan in the North West)
    • Northern Region (Lira, Gulu)
    • Eastern (Mbale, Bugisu - bordering on Kenya)
    • Central & Southwest (Jinja, Mukono, Kampala, Masaka - by Lake Victoria)
    • Western Region (Kasese, Mbarara - also bordering Democratic Republic of Congo)

    The western regions produce much of the coffees Arabicas, which grow well in the higher elevations including Mount Rwenzori (which actually gets snow at its peaks). These are naturally processed ("drugars").

    Jump to:
    • Tasting notes
    • Uganda Bugishu
    • Growing
    • Brewing tips
    • Green Coffee Production
    • Green Coffee Exports
    • Facts

    Tasting notes

    A good brewed cup of Bugisu (or "Bugishu") coffee exhibits cupping notes similar to the desirably winey acidity of a fine East African coffee, with sweet chocolate flavor and rich texture. Generally speaking, the lower complexity and lighter lighter body of Ugandan coffees makes them generally less distinguished than the finer coffees of neighboring Zimbabwe, Tanzania, or Kenya.

    The Robustas from the Lake Victoria basin are well suited to the clay-rich soils, and benefit from some high elevations in the region. They're able to develop higher acidity than lower-altitude grown Robustas, making them a decent cup.

    Uganda Bugishu

    This Coffea arabica coffee plant varietal (Coffea arabica var. bugishu) is grown in northeast Uganda near Sipi Falls. Bugishu coffee is distinguished by its clean flavor and distinctive aroma. Some of the best Bugishu (or Bugisu) grows on Uganda's Mt. Elgon.

    A good brewed cup of Bugishu coffee exhibits the desirably winey acidity of a fine East African coffee. However, the lower complexity and lighter body of Uganda Coffee makes it generally less distinguished than the finer coffees of Zimbabwe, Tanzania, or Kenya.

    Growing

    The harvest season for Arabica green coffees is October through February, and all year for the Robusta crop (peaking in November through February). After harvesting, the coffees are either natural washed (known locally as "wugars") or naturally processed (known locally as "drugars").

    Interestingly, wild Robusta coffee trees can be found in Uganda due to their suitability to the climate. Theoretically indigenous to Uganda, Robusta is the largest exported coffee varietal in Uganda, which boasts the second largest export volume of the varietal in the world.

    Ugandan coffees are graded either "A" (15/16 screen - equal to Colombian "Exelso" size) or "AA" (17/18 screen - equal to Colombian "Supremo" size).

    Brewing tips

    For tips on brewing the perfect cup of Uganda coffee see the Espresso Coffee Guides section on coffee brewing.

    For easy to follow instructions on how to make great Uganda espresso drinks see Espresso Drink Recipes and the How to make a Latte. Also provided are tips on Pulling A Perfect Espresso Shot.


    Green Coffee Production

    Year60kg bagsCoffee grown
    20163,800,000 bags501,600,000 pounds
    20153,649,567 bags481,742,844 pounds
    20143,744,477 bags494,270,964 pounds
    20133,632,867 bags479,538,444 pounds
    20123,913,502 bags516,582,264 pounds

    Green Coffee Exports

    Year60kg bagsCoffee exported
    201600 pounds
    20153,315,570437,655,240 pounds
    20143,455,250456,093,000 pounds
    20133,499,830461,977,560 pounds
    20123,583,260472,990,320 pounds

    Data may not be available for the most recent year.
    Source: ICO


    Facts

    Uganda is the #8 largest coffee growing country in the world, in 2015 they...
    produced 481,742,844 lbs
    exported 437,655,240 lbs
    That's over 91% exported!

    Sounds like a lot? It's actually 2.4% of the coffee grown worldwide.

    Uganda coffee is grown on mountainside "fincas" (farms) at 1300 to 2200 meters above sea level
    (that's 4,265 to 7,218 ft)


    Source: ICO

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gord walker

      January 17, 2019 at 2:02 pm

      I’m trying to find bukonzo or similar coffee from East Africa. Can you help me locate it

      Reply
    2. Musobozi Koroma Eric

      December 19, 2017 at 5:40 am

      Being the biggest foreign exchange earner for our nation, as Ugandans we are in a campaign to hit an export target of 20 millions (60kg) bags by the year 2020 BUT the effects of climate change are a big threat here!

      Reply
    3. Angila Beitler

      May 23, 2017 at 7:21 am

      I have never heared of Uganda before, thanks for sharing the benefits.

      Reply
    4. jody clark

      October 21, 2011 at 2:49 pm

      Coffee for a Cause. each sip of Ugandan Gold Coffee that we drink provides FRESH DRINKING WATER TO UGANDAN PEOPLE.

      Reply

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