Coffee tour on slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro

All the stages from plant to bean to cup.

My family recently came to visit and one of the activities I booked for us was a coffee tour. I was initially hesitant since many operators offer a coffee tour/waterfull excursion, which is really just passing through someone's house who happens to grow coffee in an area near to a popular waterfall. However, one of my favorite cafes in Moshi, the Union Cafe, is basically an income generating company for the Kilimanjaro Native Co-operative Union. They have an announcement offering coffee tours and since I enjoy their organization so much I figured it was worth trying.

We met at the cafe and took arranged transport up the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro. We made our way to a small village where we were welcomed with naturally, a cup of coffee. Our guide came and introduced himself as a small scale farmer from the area and we began our tour. Our guide was charismatic, knowledgeable and fun. Our first stop was to the selling area where the price per kilo was labeled on a chalk board and people were bringing bags to be weighed. I loved that we saw normal people in action as opposed to a staged setting.

We then made our way to a house and the guide explained they rotate who they have host the tour groups so everyone can benefit. He said they only have to have benches for people to sit, a mortar for demonstrations, and of course, must grow coffee. We then went to pick some fresh coffee and proceeded to follow all the steps until it was ground and mixed with hot water to produce the freshest cup of coffee I've ever had.

I can't say enough about how much I loved this coffee tour. Not only do you get to view a taste of village life on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the information given is very interesting and the hands on nature of the tour really makes it into an experience. I will recommend this trip to everyone that comes as a guest to Moshi, and even those whom reside here!

Weighing the bags of coffee.

Enjoying an explanation on the various stages of coffee.

Coffee left to be dried for days.

Finally, the roasting of the bean. Last step before grinding and drinking.