Tanzania Acacia Hills

Tanzania Acacia Hills is a special single-origin coffee from Badeta Koffiebranders (Amsterdam) with a distinctive flavor and story. Below is more about the origin, the roast profile, the taste, sustainability and other aspects of this coffee.

Acacia Hills is a coffee farm in northern Tanzania, high on the fertile slopes of Mount Oldeani near the Ngorongoro Crater. The location, with cool nights and warm days, provides ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. The farm is owned by Leon Christianakis, a third-generation coffee farmer, who refurbished the plantation in 2007 into a modern specialty coffee estate. Volcanic soil and the shade of acacia trees contribute to the rich growing conditions and immediately explain the farm's name.

Badeta roasts this coffee relatively lightly (light to medium roast) to preserve the bright fruit tones. The result is a lively coffee with sparkling acidity, while still sufficiently full-bodied and balanced to be brewed both as filter coffee and as espresso.

This coffee surprises with a fresh, fruity taste and a full body. In the cup, pear, honey and orange are tasted, a tasteful interplay of sweet and bright nuances. The aroma when brewing is delightful, think ripe fruit with a hint of blossom.

Tanzania Acacia Hills is processed using the washed method. This means the coffee cherries are pulped after picking and the beans ferment in water tanks to remove the sticky pulp. The beans are then thoroughly washed and dried on raised beds under the African sun. Thanks to this washed processing, the coffee develops a clean, bright flavor and a sparkling acidity. Careful sorting and washing ensure that only the best beans make it into the bag, free from impurities and with a pure taste.

This coffee is 100% Arabica, and on the farm varieties such as Kent and SL-28 are grown. That mix of a classic and a Kenyan coffee variety contributes to the complex, layered character of the flavor.

Sustainability is central. Leon invests in the community (such as a village water supply and fair wages) and protects nature (shade trees, respect for the adjacent reserve). This creates a sustainable model in which people, the environment, and quality go hand in hand.

This coffee is at its best when brewed carefully. A few recommendations: grind the beans just before use and brew with fresh filtered water for the best results.

• Filter brewing method: Preferably use a V60, Kalita or Chemex. Keep the water at around 93°C and a ratio of approximately 1:16 (e.g. 15 g coffee/250 ml) for a clear, aromatic cup.
• Espresso: Dose about 18 g for a double espresso and aim for roughly 25 s extraction. That yields a lively espresso with a honey-sweet body and a citrus twist.

Acacia Hills made an international name for itself by winning an Alliance for Coffee Excellence auction in 2020 with one of Tanzania's best coffees. The beans often score highly (in the high 80s on the 100-point scale) and are praised by specialty roasters worldwide for their complex flavor.

Badeta packs this coffee in 250 g or 1 kg bags, fitted with a valve and ziplock to preserve freshness. The label clearly states the origin and tasting notes, consistent with Badeta’s sleek, modern design. The sturdy bags keep the beans fresh for a long time and are user-friendly.

Tanzania Acacia Hills is exclusively available from Badeta, both through the webshop and at the coffee bar in Amsterdam. A 250-gram bag costs around €14.60, a kilo approximately €55.55. This places the coffee in the higher-priced segment, but it is a microlot of exceptional quality. Availability is limited and seasonal, when it's sold out it's sold out until the next harvest. Those who don't want to miss a bag can choose Badeta’s coffee subscription with a discount for regular deliveries. All in all, this special coffee offers a unique experience worth its price.