Malawi Coffee Beans

Malawi is one of the least commonly encountered origins in specialty coffee, which is part of what makes it worth seeking out. Coffee has been grown in the country since the late 19th century, introduced during the colonial period, and production is concentrated in two main regions: the Shire Highlands in the south, around Thyolo and Mulanje, and the Misuku Hills in the north near the Tanzanian border. Unlike much of East Africa, where smallholder farmers and cooperative washing stations dominate, Malawi's coffee sector has historically been structured around estates, with a small number of farms managing the full process from growing through to milling. This gives well-sourced Malawi lots a traceability and consistency that can be harder to achieve in more fragmented producing countries.

In the cup, Malawi produces coffees that sit broadly in the East African register but with their own distinct character: full body, clean and relatively low acidity, and flavour profiles that tend toward red fruit, brown sugar, and a rounded, approachable sweetness. Bourbon and its derivatives are the most widely grown varietals. Washed processing is standard and highlights the terroir cleanly. The origin rarely commands high prices relative to its quality, which reflects its low profile in the specialty market rather than the quality of what it produces. Any lots we are currently roasting will appear below.

Browse: African coffees · Bourbon · All single origins