Origin: Uganda
Region: Eastern Uganda
Estate: Various
Altitude: 1,300 to 2,600 meters above sea level
Varieties: Bourbon, SL28
Grade: AA
Harvest: 25/26 crop
Processing: Fully Washed
Tasting Notes: Winey, Fruity, Traditional
Product Description:
Grown on the fertile volcanic slopes of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda, Bugisu AA is a highly sought-after specialty coffee renowned for its rich, traditional cup profile featuring notes of wine, fruit, and balanced sweetness.
Much like Ethiopia and Kenya, Uganda’s coffee is predominantly cultivated by smallholder farmers, with most farms covering less than 2.5 hectares. Despite their modest size, these farms have exceptional potential for producing high-quality specialty coffees. Coffee is commonly intercropped with traditional food crops such as bananas, which provide natural shade for the coffee trees while supporting household food security.
Harvesting takes place twice annually, with coffee cherries carefully handpicked by farming families. The ripe cherries are pulped using traditional hand-operated pulpers, then fermented and washed with clean water. The coffee is dried in parchment on raised beds or patios, allowing the beans to develop their distinctive character and quality.
Bugisu AA represents the highest grade of Arabica coffee from the region, recognised for its large bean size and exceptional flavour complexity.
This coffee performs best at medium to medium-dark roast levels, where its fruity and wine-like characteristics are complemented by a rich body and smooth finish. It is particularly well suited to filter brewing, French press, and pour-over methods.
Uganda is the native home to one species of Robusta, and commercial coffee production in the country goes back to the beginning of the 20th century.
The bulk of our Uganda coffee is sourced from the West, near the Rwenzori Mountains. The biggest difference between East (Mount Elgon) and West (Rwenzori) is that Mount Elgon is a more established and competitive market. We are excited to be at the forefront of the drive for enhancing coffee production infrastructure, developing the industry and becoming reliable partners for farmers in the Rwenzori Mountain region.
It is clear to us that the potential in this region might exceed our expectations and even the potential of the popular Mount Elgon region. With an ever-growing demand for high quality Arabicas and a sustained interest from roasters and coffee drinkers in the East African origins, we are very confident that, with diligence and effort, Western Ugandan coffees will be able to take their place alongside the other great East African coffees.
