Turaco Coffee - Uganda - Dallmayr GRAND CRU CAFÉ

Grand Cru Turaco - Premium coffee from Uganda

PROFILE

Origin: Uganda
Type: 100% Coffea Canephora (Robusta)
Quality: Authentic premium quality, washed Coffea Canephora, Grade 1 screen 17, Kaweri Estate
Roasting: Long, gentle espresso roast
Body: Full and intense
Acidity: Very subtle
Aroma: With a hint of cinnamon and dark chocolate
PREPARATION: As a result of its long, dark roasting process, Dallmayr GRAND CRU Turaco is delicious as espresso, cappuccino and latte macchiato. In the cup, it develops a long-lasting, silky smooth crema.

The dark soul of Africa in an espresso cup

It is said that Uganda is as old as humanity itself, as it belongs to the so-called ‘cradle of humankind’, the region which has revealed the origins of the biological and cultural development of man. This landlocked area of sub-Saharan Africa is a region of lakes and primeval forests, the home of the Nile’s source – and the roots of Robusta.

The coffee used to make GRAND CRU Turaco is considered by coffee experts to be one of the best Robusta varieties in the world. This pure, authentic coffee is elegant and full-bodied in the cup. The aromatic bouquet carries hints of spicy cinnamon and dark chocolate. Turaco has a stronger, more intense flavour than other Robusta coffees. A dark espresso roasting process is used to unfold its irresistible characteristics: low acidity and bitterness and a rounded body.

The fine line between delicate and robust: notions of the two main coffee varieties

The evergreen coffee trees from the botanical species Coffea originated in Africa. Today, they are planted both to the north and south of the equator, along the world’s coffee belt. Of the numerous types, only two represent economic significance: Arabica (Coffea Arabica) and Robusta (Coffea Canephora). These plants constitute 98 per cent of global coffee production. Arabica is the longest-known wild-growing variety.

Robusta can withstand more heat and is more robust against diseases, as the name reflects. This coffee variety ripens quicker and produces higher yields than Arabica. It often grows on lower plateaus, which makes the harvest a little less arduous. In contrast to the complex wet preparation of Arabica coffee, the process is normally carried out dry for Robusta. In light of its exuberant flora and fauna, Sir Winston Churchill once described Uganda as the "pearl of Africa".

Extraordinary in every sense. A Robusta with very special qualities

Turaco stands out as a Robusta variety: it grows on the high plateaus of Uganda, and is one of the world’s few varieties which are washed in a time-consuming, strenuous process after harvesting. The ripe cherries are sorted into so-called washing channels, in which the unripe green cherries simply sink. Subsequently, a device called a pulper is used to remove the flesh of the berries, along with the outer skin. A controlled fermentation process and a further washing procedure follow, before the coffee is left to dry outdoors. This yields practically unique Robusta beans!

A strong coffee network in harmony with man and nature

Uganda is one of the ten leading coffee producers in the world. Century-old traditions, experience and modern cultivation methods combine to create premium Robusta beans, such as those reaped from the Kaweri Estate run by the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, where this coffee originates. The Neumann Kaffee Gruppe has been active in the region since 2001, and is firmly committed to nurturing sustainable cultivation. At its Kaweri plantation, which is the largest in the country, coffee grows in harmony with man and nature. The farm uses the latest technology for meticulous coffee preparation and the production of natural fertilisers. Nevertheless, in order to protect the soil, many tasks are still carried out by hand.

„An increasing number of roasting plants want coffee which is produced in conditions that respect not only the farmers and their families, but also the environment." Frank Bibby, General Director (retired) of the Kaweri coffee plantation.

The Neumann Kaffee Gruppe places huge significance on close collaboration with local communities and the small coffee farms nearby. The Coffee Farmers’ Alliance is one of the projects established by the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, and is also supported by the Ugandan government and the European Union. Within this network, the farmers benefit from the pooled expertise and corresponding transfer of knowledge. As a result of this improved organisation, they can consolidate their market position and make significant advances in their living conditions. The population benefits from more jobs and the new infrastructure: inhabitants have direct access to drinking water and electricity, in addition to medical care and schools. In this sense, the cultivation of coffee actively contributes to fighting poverty and conserving the African heritage as a way of life for future generations.

In contrast to typical monocropping methods, biodiversity is promoted on the plantation. Special shade trees and organic fields offer shelter to rare animals. These include the Columbus monkey, the reedbuck and, above all, the rare Turaco – after which Dallmayr GRAND CRU Turaco is named.