Coffee knowledge
A practical guide to the species, grades, processing methods and market segments that shape every Tanzanian green coffee purchase.
Tanzania at a glance
Tanzanian coffee grows from the shores of Lake Victoria to the slopes of Kilimanjaro and the southern highlands of Mbeya and Songwe. Altitude, variety and climate shift from region to region — which is why every offer we make starts with a specific area, not a country blend.
01 · By species
Tanzania's highland Arabica grows between 1,200 and 2,000 metres, where cool nights slow cherry maturation and build the bright, structured cups the origin is known for.
Tanzanian Robusta comes mainly from the Kagera region around Lake Victoria, valued by roasters for body, crema and blending strength.
02 · By market segment
The same Tanzanian regions supply both, and the same mill often prepares both. A well-prepared commercial parcel can outcup a poorly separated specialty lot — the difference is how the coffee is bought, not how good it is.
Tightly separated lots — by region, processing station or delivery period — bought on lot identity and an approved cup. Volumes run from bags to part-containers, and traceability typically reaches station level.
Repeatable specifications bought as a programme: grade, screen and defect basis held consistent across crops and shipments. Volumes run in containers, often across multiple shipments per season.
03 · By processing method
Clean acidity, lighter body, origin character reads clearly
The standard preparation across Kilimanjaro, Mbeya and Ruvuma — parchment is fermented, washed and sun-dried before milling.
Heavier body, lower acidity, pronounced fruit sweetness
Whole cherry dried on raised beds, common in Songwe and Kagera. Drying faults hide in the green — we cup more cups before approval.
Between washed and natural — sweet, rounded acidity
Small, lot-specific volumes appear seasonally. Availability is confirmed against samples rather than assumed.
04 · Tanzanian grades
Grading happens at the dry mill after hulling. Most grades are screen-size separations; PB is separated by shape, TT by density and UG by residual cleaning.
| Grade | Screen | Species | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | Screen 18+ · ≈7.1mm | Arabica | The largest flat beans after screening. Tanzania's most quoted export grade — a size class, not a cup class. |
| A | Screen 17 · ≈6.75mm | Arabica | Flat beans held on screen 17, directly below AA in the size run. |
| AB | Screen 16–17 | Arabica | Combined A and B parcel and usually the largest block of an outturn — practical for repeat, multi-container programmes. |
| B | Screen 16 · ≈6.35mm | Arabica | Flat beans held on screen 16. |
| C | Screen 14–15 | Arabica | Smaller flat beans, depending on mill preparation. |
| PB | Own run · 12–14 | Arabica | Peaberry — one rounded seed per cherry. Kept apart for its shape and density, which roast differently. |
| E | Above 18/19 | Arabica | Oversized, often joined beans separated above AA. Small volumes, uneven shape. |
| TT | Density-separated | Arabica | Lighter beans lifted from AA/A/B parcels on the gravity table; typically a lighter, flatter cup. |
| UG | Residual | Arabica | Parcels below named-grade preparation, sold on stated defect and screen tolerances. |
| FAQ | Screen 15+ (or 18 sized) | Robusta | Natural Kagera Robusta, contracted on screen and defect terms rather than the Arabica ladder. |
What a grade fixes
Use the grade for the physical spec, the approved sample for the cup — both belong in the contract.
What a grade doesn't tell you
Tell us your target profile and volume — we will match it against current Tanzanian availability.
06 · Cup scores
Coffee is cupped on a 100-point scale. The score summarises fragrance, flavour, acidity, body, balance and clean cup — useful for positioning a lot, but always read alongside the cupping notes and physical analysis.
07 · Harvest calendar
Indicative windows — timing shifts each season with rainfall and altitude.
Harvest
Kilimanjaro, Arusha · Jul – Dec
Typical shipment
Oct – Mar
Harvest
Mbeya, Songwe, Ruvuma · Jun – Oct
Typical shipment
Sep – Feb
Harvest
Kagera · May – Sep
Typical shipment
Aug – Dec
08 · Buyer FAQ
We sell FOB Dar es Salaam. Other arrangements can be discussed with our desk.
Green coffee is normally shipped in 60kg jute bags. Lined bags or other packaging can be requested.
Yes. Pre-shipment and offer samples are available for qualified buyers on request.
We work from part-container to full-container volumes. Tell us your needs and we'll advise what's possible.
AA and AB suit most specialty programmes; PB offers a distinct cup; FAQ and Robusta grades suit blends and espresso bases.