Uganda Coffee- Talking and Tasting

A video about Ugandan coffee, the arabica growing regions, and commercial versus specialty coffee from Uganda. 

Thompson tastes six samples he brought back from his trip to the Rwenzoris and Mount Elgon coffee growing areas. This is a wide ranging talk, while tasting these coffees, and includes a couple extreme examples: Uganda Excelsa coffee, a different species than arabica or robusta. And we also talk about a commercial grade arabica called Alpha R-4 grade … with 400 defects per sample (of 300 grams)! Who buys this stuff?

There’s a bonus little story if you make it to the end about a cyclical economy around rocks that are found in coffee. It’s a little funny. Thanks for watching!

Photo Selections from Our 2025 Uganda Travels

Uganda coffee map
Model farmer - SL-28 variety coffee at 1950 meters, Mount Elgon Uganda
Model farmer – SL-28 variety coffee at 1950 meters, Mount Elgon Uganda
Coffee cherry just outside the gates of Kapchorwa, Mt Elgon Uganda
Coffee cherry just outside the gates of Kapchorwa, Mt Elgon Uganda
Buzibiti station Uganda. Richard is manager.
Buzibiti station Uganda. Richard is manager.
At Manafwa, some of the parchment seemed mixed quality, with over fermented coffee and some damage. Machine is an estrada from Colombia.
At Manafwa, some of the parchment seemed mixed quality, with over fermented coffee and some damage. Machine is an estrada from Colombia.
Busalini washing station. 1300 meters. This is Sironko district. Budadiri is town council site nearby. Uganda
Busalini washing station.
1300 meters. This is Sironko district. Budadiri is town council site nearby. Uganda
Busalini washing station. fermentation tanks, Uganda
Busalini washing station. fermentation tanks, Uganda
Busalini cherry quality seemed better than others.
Busalini cherry quality seemed better than others.
Covered drying for parchment coffee due to constant rains. Busalini Washing Station
Covered drying for parchment coffee due to constant rains. Busalini Washing Station
Bugoye station washed coffee parchment - Rwenzoris
Bugoye station washed coffee parchment – Rwenzoris
Kisinga natural coffee on raised beds
Kisinga natural coffee on raised beds, and will be finished in mechanical dryers.
Bugoye station naturals are divided as day lots
Bugoye station naturals are divided as day lots
Bugoye station Kyagalanyi – Cherry remains wet for long periods of time.
Bugoye station Kyagalanyi drying beds outside
Bugoye station Kyagalanyi drying beds outside
1700 meters. Costa Rica 95 in photos - and other unique varieties on this farm
1700 meters.
Costa Rica 95 in photos – and other unique varieties on this farm
James Hakiza. coffee farm is lower altitude but well tended. He uses irrigation
James Hakiza. coffee farm is lower altitude but well tended. He uses irrigation
1400 meters. SL14 variety perhaps some of the varieties are mixed.
1400 meters. SL14 variety perhaps some of the varieties are mixed.
Bugoye washed green coffee G1
Bugoye washed green coffee G1
Bugoye low grade Alpha R4 - 400 defects per 300 gr sample
Bugoye low grade Alpha R4 – 400 defects per 300 gr sample
Tasting coffee at the Coffee Gardens lab in Mbale
Tasting coffee at the Coffee Gardens lab in Mbale

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