Description
The youngest of the NCCL coffee estates, Nsunzu is located at the foot of picturesque Mount Nsunzu which is one of the biggest landmarks in Northern Zambia. Stunning rock formations make this one of the most beautiful coffee estates in the world.
In addition to the breathtaking environment, this region boasts various ancient civilizations who – independently from the European Iron Age – developed an Iron Age of their own that made use of the colorful ferrous soils. The first full crop from Nsunzu was harvested in 2020 and there is still plenty of scope for further expansion. Even though Nsunzu and the other estates have the potential for mechanical coffee harvesting, we deliberately decided to harvest by hand. This labor-intensive process allows for a more careful selection of only the reddest cherries which maximizes the rich flavor profiles. In addition, NCCL as the largest employer in the country remains committed to providing employment in a region where sources of paid labor are extremely scarce.
Tasting Notes: This coffee is very versatile and adapts well to different roast levels, good from light to dark. Light to medium roasts will start with a sweet citric note, hints of a red fruit behind it, balanced by a spicy chocolate like undertone. Light roasts offer a crisper citrus, higher acidity profile, perhaps not as bright as a Kenya but shows its African roots. If you don’t like acidity, best to shoot for a medium to dark roast. Medium roasts show the best balance, the lighter and darker tones combine to create great depth of flavors: a slightly sweeter and smoother profile with notes of chocolate and spices; medium to full-bodied and much less acidic than light roasts. Dark roasts have an even fuller body but lose some of the sweetness; they taste of chocolate with some roasty overtones, fuller bodied with a touch of spice in the aftertaste.
Roasting Notes: In general, it is easy to roast, with good results at all levels, a touch uneven roasting but still easy to hit ones desired roast level. Medium to low chaff levels. If you prefer moderate acidity, chocolate tones, and a pleasant sweetness, roast it lightly. If you prefer that combination of acidity and a little more body, choose a medium roast. If you prefer to sacrifice acidity but obtain spicy notes, while maintaining its clean finish, opt for a dark roast. Undoubtedly, this coffee performs very well at all levels, so it retains a little of everything regardless of the roast level.
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