It is not often that one comes across speciality coffee from Uganda, as the majority of production here consists of commercial coffee. Uganda is one of the world’s largest producers of Robusta. However, Arabica is also grown here in several highland regions. Coffee production is of vital importance to Uganda. It is estimated that around 20 per cent of the population still derive most of their income from coffee production. There are 1.7 million farms in Uganda, with an average size of just 0.18 hectares. The most commonly grown varieties here are SL14, SL34, and SL28. In the western part of the country, Bourbon is widespread, and Catimor can also occasionally be found. However, most farmers do not actually know which varieties they grow, and they often mix them together. Coffee is delivered to washing stations by smallholder farmers from local communities, typically farming less than 1 hectare of land. On average, farmers grow fewer than 1,500 coffee trees per hectare, with each tree producing only around 200–300 g of green coffee. As a result, coffee from different farms and communities is usually collected at a single processing station and then combined into one lot. We have named this lot – "Lost Treasure" as we realise that many people have forgotten just how magnificent Ugandan coffee can be.
Memories Coffee Company is a Dubai based roastery delivering freshly roasted specialty coffee across the UAE. They source from farms and cooperatives in Colombia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Brazil, and Indonesia, and visited origin partners at World of Coffee 2024 to deepen those relationships. Sustainability and eco friendly practices are central to the operation. Their range includes single origins, drip bags for travel, and a Turkish coffee line. The roastery is managed in partnership with Leto Caffe.
