MBEYA AND SONGWE

MBEYA AND SONGWE Increasingly sought after in specialty beans from Mbeya and Songwe have smooth and balanced coffee. Located in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands, the Mbeya and Songwe regions are among the country’s most productive and rapidly developing Arabica coffee zones. Sitting at elevations of 1,400–1,900 meters, these highland areas enjoy a cool climate, ample rainfall, and fertile volcanic and alluvial soils — ideal conditions for growing dense, flavourful beans. Coffee here is mostly Arabica, including Bourbon, Kent, and Typica varieties, cultivated by smallholder farmers using sustainable practices. The harvest season typically runs from May to October. Coffees from Mbeya and Songwe are known for their medium body, balanced sweetness, and bright, fruity acidity, often showing notes of berries, plum, chocolate, and floral undertones. Their clean, complex profiles make them highly valued in the specialty coffee market. Together, Mbeya and Songwe form the heart of Tanzania’s Southern Highlands coffee belt, contributing significantly to the country’s reputation for high quality Arabica production.