Mt Elgon Black Honey

Genuine Origin

Details

Origin

Uganda

Region

Mt Elgon

Process

Black Honey

Altitude

1,600–1,800 m

Varietal

Description

<h2> Mt. Elgon Black Honey </h2> <p> Grown high on the fertile slopes of Uganda’s Mt. Elgon and carefully processed by hand, this Black Honey micro-lot from Kyagalanyi Coffee showcases the sweetness, depth, and fruit complexity that only a long, slow honey process can deliver. </p> <p>   </p> <h2> Mt. Elgon | Elevation and Abundance </h2> <p> Mt. Elgon, an ancient volcanic mountain straddling the Uganda–Kenya border, is one of East Africa’s most renowned coffee-growing regions. With elevations between 1,600 and 1,800 meters, nutrient-rich volcanic soils, and roughly 1,500 mm of annual rainfall, the foothills offer ideal conditions for slow-ripening, sweet, and dense Arabica coffee cherries. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Across these ranges, thousands of smallholder farmers cultivate coffee using traditional, hand-picked harvesting methods that prioritize cherry quality. </p> <p>   </p> <h2> Black Honey Processing </h2> <p> Honey processing varies in mucilage retention and drying time, creating color categories like White, Yellow, Red, and Black Honey. Black Honey typically involves leaving the largest amount of sticky mucilage on the parchment. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In this process, the coffee dries slowly on raised beds, allowing the thick fruit layer to darken and ferment gradually. The result is bolder fruit character, amplified sweetness, and a creamy, viscous mouthfeel—approaching the intensity of natural coffees but with greater balance and less overt fruitiness. </p> <p>   </p> <h2> SL14 and SL28 Varieties </h2> <p> The “SL” in SL14 and SL28 refers to Scott Laboratories, a Kenyan agricultural research center known for identifying and developing high-performing coffee varieties. </p> <p> • <strong>SL28</strong> was selected for its exceptional cup quality and drought resilience.  <br /> • <strong>SL14</strong> was identified for its adaptability and consistently high-quality cup potential across East Africa’s varied environments. </p> <p>   </p> <h2> Ugandan Green Coffee </h2> <p> While Ethiopia is Africa's top coffee producer, Uganda is hot on its heels. Uganda stands as the continent's leading producer of Robusta and its Arabica sector has expanded rapidly, particularly in high-altitude regions like Mt. Elgon and the Rwenzori Mountains. Investments in farmer training, processing infrastructure, and quality improvement have elevated Uganda’s reputation as one of East Africa’s most exciting Arabica origins. Learn more in our <a href="https://blog.genuineorigin.com/2024/03/uganda-coffee-report-2024-unlocking-coffee-excellence/" target="_blank">Uganda Coffee Origin Report</a>. </p>