Landlocked in southeastern Africa, Malawi’s coffee history dates back to the 1800s. It is said that a single coffee tree was brought from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh by Dr. John Buchanan, a Scottish missionary. For much of the 20th century, African ownership of coffee farms was limited, as Malawi remained under British rule until 1964. Today, coffee production in Malawi remains modest. Despite its low profile in the coffee world, Malawi stands out for its exceptional quality, offering a clean, sweet, and complex cup.
Malawi does not have well-defined coffee regions, but names like Chitipa, Rumphi, and North Viphya are gaining recognition. This coffee comes from Mangochi, a township near the southern end of Lake Malawi, Africa’s third-largest lake, where Ngapani Estate is located.
Ngapani Estate is part of the Sable Farms Group, which operates two estates—Ngapani and Chipale—located in the east. Together, they cover 574 hectares, making Sable Farms the largest coffee producer in Malawi. The Mpeni, Ngapani, and Nsondole Rivers run through the region, with the Mpeni River feeding the Mpeni Dam. Sable Farms employs fully drip-irrigated systems using water from the dam. With over 1,000 workers, the group actively supports local communities by building schools and improving access to clean water. Additionally, Sable Farms is Rainforest Alliance certified.
This lot underwent classic washed processing. Ripe cherries are handpicked, washed, fermented, and channel graded before being dried on raised beds. The parchment is regularly turned for even drying before being sent to the dry mill for sorting and export preparation.
