Day 3. Uganda - Mt Elgon

This Uganda Mt Elgon coffee is grown in the rich volcanic soils of Mbale, on the slopes of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda. Wash-processed, it offers the clean, bright profile typical of washed Arabica, with gentle floral and citrus notes, hints of strawberry jam, lively acidity and a crisp, clean finish.

Coffee has deep roots in Uganda. The country is home to one of the world’s native Robusta species, and its commercial coffee history stretches back over a century. While much of Uganda’s Arabica has traditionally come from the famous Mount Elgon region, the wider landscape of Ugandan coffee is evolving, with growing interest in expanding quality production across both the East and the West.

On Mount Elgon, smallholder farms sit on high volcanic slopes where cool temperatures and mineral-rich soils create ideal growing conditions for Arabica. This particular lot is produced by around 200 smallholder farmers, many of whom are part of the Invisible Hands Women’s Initiative (IHWI) a community-based organisation dedicated to supporting and training women in coffee farming. Their work often goes under-recognised, and the initiative aims to empower female farmers not only through better agricultural practices but also through fairer access to the coffee value chain. Much of the coffee produced within this group follows Organic EU-certified methods.

The result is a coffee that captures the character of Uganda’s eastern highlands: bright, clean and gently fruity, shaped by volcanic soil, careful processing and the skill of the women and families who grow it. It’s a cup that reflects both the landscape and the community behind it.