Table of contents
Zimbabwe
$ 0.98 - $2.25 per ounce
| Varieties | Arabica, Robusta, Catimor |
| How to Serve | Usually served as a Mocha due to its pleasant acidity |
| Flavor | Pleasant acidity with a full body and chocolatey flavor |
| Recommended Machine | Pourover, Stovetop, Moka Pot, Siphon |
| Good As | Mocha, Americano, Espresso, Doppio |
| Price Range | $0.98 – $2.25 per ounce |
| Caffeine Level | 0.7% on average |
Zimbabwe’s coffee history counts a lot of years and centuries. For quite some time, this country was producing some of Africa’s best coffee, peaking in the late 19th century. However, the 21st century wasn’t the kindest to Zimbabwe’s coffee business, as economic hardship and crises riddled the country’s plantations.
With that being said, the country is still rich with coffee plantations dotting the landscape with clients from all over the world placing orders. Zimbabwe coffee beans are not really considered to be the best beans out there, but they’re cheap and tasty enough for many investors to become interested. The coffee is extremely aromatic, well-balanced, medium-bodied with a great aftertaste.
Almost all types of coffee in Zimbabwe are cultivated at a height of 4500 feet. The harvesting time is usually from June to November. (November-March is considered a rainy season). Only 3 types of coffee are grown here; Arabica, Robusta, and Catimor. The passion and effort that goes into the creation of outstanding coffee in Zimbabwe are what sets its coffee apart.
In this guide, however, we will talk about the products as well as the landscapes and general tips on how to handle Zimbabwean coffee.
The Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe are ideal for Arabica coffee cultivation. The area receives enough rain (about 800mm per year), has fertile soil, and enjoys nice temperatures because of its location – approximately 4,000 feet above sea level. From May through September, the harvest season is in full swing in Zimbabwe. The country’s coffee farms cover about 9,500 hectares, most of which are owned by small farmers.
Currently, Zimbabwe coffee is mostly grown in 2 main regions including Mount Selinda and Chipigne. Below we will discuss these regions in further detail for you to get more familiar with the world of the country’s coffee culture.
Mount Selinda is a town in Zimbabwe’s eastern mountains, at an altitude of 3600 feet. This location has a remarkable natural beauty which is not only good for coffee production but other interesting activities as well. This region is often referred to as a coffee estate and for a good reason.
Mount Selinda produces some of the best high-altitude pure Arabica coffee in the world. The estate is blessed with unusually deep, fine dolerite soils, excellent for the cultivation of high-quality coffee. As Mount Selinda faces the Indian Ocean it creates its own microclimate.
This region’s well-known product is called Smaldeel Mount Selinda Estate Coffee that was one of the first Zimbabwe coffees to make its way into the specialty market in the United States. Each season, the estate can generate around 16,000 sacks of coffee in total.
Chipigne is another coffee-producing town in Zimbabwe that is located near the border of Mozambique. Coffee was first introduced here in 1924 but on a small scale and was not able to grow until 1950 when the first station of coffee was established.
For now, Chipinge coffee qualifies for a fine East African coffee, with a bright and winey acidity that demonstrates a premium gourmet coffee’s superiority. The hot temperature of the Chipinge region, along with heavy rainfall of roughly 1,1000 mm per year, makes it ideal for cultivating not only Zimbabwe coffee but tea as well.
Chipinge coffee is only surpassed in quality by Kenyan coffees on the African continent.
Some of you might be wondering if it is possible to get Zimbabwe coffee directly from a Zimbabwe producer. Of course, you can do that, however, it might cause a lot of headaches including payments, logistics, waiting time, etc.
Luckily, customers have other options as well – I, myself have been purchasing the best Zimbabwe coffee brands from Amazon for quite some time now. So let’s take a look at the best products available here.
We pay attention to the following:
For more detailed information on how exactly we rate the coffee products we suggest in our guides, click here.
Just naming our favorite top choices will not be enough as a lot of things might influence your decision-making process. That’s why we decided to make individual overviews about each product and underline all the special things about them. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the process of discovering the best Zimbabwe coffee to buy.
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Price: $$26.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 oz |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Coffee Round The World |
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Beans: Ground |
We are happy to start our list with Fresh roasted Zimbabwe coffee that is 100% organic and tastes like heaven. With the tones of chocolate and medium-level acidity this coffee really has a lot to offer in terms of unique taste.
Before we talk about some other things, let’s take a look at the brand behind this product. Coffee Round The World LLC was created in 2020 and since then, provides high-quality services. For instance, their coffee is roasted fresh to order and is delivered directly to you within 24 hours of roasting it. What this means is that you’ll always get the freshest coffee possible, roasted especially for you.
A 12-ounce package goes for $26.99 and you can either choose what roast level you want; dark, light, or medium roast. You can even choose how you want the beans to be ground. To get the freshest taste, I recommend that you buy freshly roasted coffee in smaller quantities more frequently so your coffee drinking experience is as pleasant as possible.
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Price: $$78.55 (subject to change) |
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Size: 5 beans |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Buffalo Buck’s Coffee |
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Beans: Whole |
Buffalo Buck’s Zimbabwe Beans is Arabica coffee that has a very smooth taste and generally has lower caffeine compared to other similar coffees. This product is made by Buffalo Buck’s Coffee which is a small-batch coffee roasting company – What I like about them the most is that they roast each coffee differently to bring out the distinct flavor.
What’s even more impressive is that Buffalo Buck’s Coffee provides a custom roasting and blending service, which allows them to produce flavors that are specifically tailored to your preferences. However, when you order the five-pound pack, there is no additional payment for this service.
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Price: $$11.49 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 oz |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Dark |
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Producer: Jo Coffee |
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Beans: Ground |
This is my personal favorite out of these three products for several different reasons. First of all, coffee grinds are perfect for cold brewing. Secondly, despite the fact that the flavor was a little too robust for me, I could also feel the smoothness and this combination left a really good impression. I can say that from my personal experience, Stone Cold Jo is the most delicious cold brew that I have ever made. Moreover, once you open the package, the rich smell of the coffee will simply leave you speechless.
Now, the important part – The price of this coffee is actually pretty amazing. For a 12-ounce package you just have to pay $11.49 – Coffee lovers will agree that with a high-quality beverage, this is a steal.
I also feel the need to mention that Stone Cold Jo is USDA certified meaning that it sources its product with strict standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture.
I tried a few different methods of brewing Zimbabwe coffee, and I gotta say that these beans are pretty hard to please. Out of the 5 methods I tried, only two yielded tasty coffee, so I’ll be describing them below.
The espresso machine method is pretty common for cafes that serve you delicious, high-quality coffee. So, I used my own, pretty small and cheap Espresso Machine to try and mimic the taste. Here is the list of things you will need for brewing Zimbabwean Coffee at home:
If you have all of these things, then congrats! Now you can follow these simple steps:
That’s all there is to it, nothing too complicated about it. In the end, you’ll get the most amazing concentrated brew you’ve probably ever had.
The pour over method is pretty simple to follow and does not require you to have some superficial knowledge. Once you gather all the necessary tools, you’re all set and good to go.
I want to underline the importance of having a scale. In order for your coffee to be high quality and taste good, you will need to have the right amount of water and coffee. With the help of a scale, you can easily balance these two and create the best possible taste. Now, let me describe the process for you:
And there you go! Freshly brewed delicious coffee is now served.
