Tanzanian Peaberry

Discover what truly makes Tanzanian peaberry coffee unique and why you should try this delicious coffee TODAY.

Tanzanian Peaberry Coffee - Why Is It Special?

Tanzanian peaberry coffee is usually associated with superiority in cup profile, sweeter taste, and higher price tag. Peaberry coffee accounts for less than 10% of the total coffee harvest in the country - partly explaining its reverence. However, peaberry coffee from Tanzania does live up to its hype. Wondering why? Find out below just why peaberry coffee from Tanzania is so special.

What Is Peaberry Coffee?

Peaberry coffee is neither a coffee bean type nor a variety. Peaberry coffee is distinguished through its anatomy and the name refers to the coffee bean’s description. Peaberry coffee is simply a coffee cherry that ends up with two seeds instead of one. 

Peaberry coffee can spontaneously appear on any coffee variety - meaning it can be arabica or robusta. Peaberry coffee beans account for no more than 7% of the total global harvest. Interestingly, most peaberry coffee grows in specific regions, such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Hawaii. 

But, since peaberry coffee appears spontaneously, this bean style can appear in any coffee-growing region. Regular coffee beans produce cherries with two seeds in them. Inexplicably, a few coffee trees spontaneously produce cherries that only contain one bean. 

Natural mutation is attributed to the single seed development as the second ovule fails to pollinate. The extra space left to the single bean allows it to occupy it. As a result, you get a much smaller, denser, and rounder-looking coffee bean - which explains its name, peaberry coffee.

What Makes Tanzanian Peaberry Coffee So Special?

Tanzanian peaberry coffee is unique for its rarity, growing conditions, and taste. Tanzanian peaberry is so highly revered in Tanzania that it even enjoys its own export grade (PB - peaberry). 

Peaberry coffee from Tanzania grows in the northern (Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions on the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, respectively), and the southern highland regions (Mbeya region). Growing in cooler conditions at around 4,500 to 6,000 feet elevation in these regions, most Tanzanian peaberry coffee harvested is arabica*.

The uniquely rich volcanic soil offers the perfect coffee cultivating environment while improving the bean’s cup profile. These conditions and the bean’s single-seed anatomy are attributed to the bean’s sweeter and brighter flavors than regular coffee beans. 

Some Tanzanian coffee experts believe that the single seed in the peaberry cherry enjoys all the nutrients from the land. This, in turn, allows for even better flavor development. Nonetheless, like regular coffee beans, whether arabica or robusta, peaberry coffee must grow in ideal conditions and receive proper processing to maintain high quality. This explains why Tanzanian peaberry coffee is among the best on the market.

*Arabica coffee from Tanzania comes from Kilimanjaro, Arusha, and Mbeya regions while robusta coffee comes from the northwest Kagera region.

Why is Tanzanian Peaberry Coffee Expensive?

The high price tag associated with Tanzanian peaberry coffee is attributed to its rarity and better taste. On average, you will pay about $10 to $15 more for every pound of peaberry compared to regular coffee. 

In a blind taste, many coffee lovers tend to lean towards peaberry coffee rather than regular coffee, even that coming from the same lot. This is because peaberry beans tend to offer deeper sweetness and more flavor, though the profile remains light, brighter, and well-balanced.

When it comes to rarity, peaberry coffee may be expensive due to its laborious post-harvest process. Peaberries cannot be identified when growing on coffee trees. Instead, coffee farmers usually pick them during the size sorting and processing stage. These beans are so rare that you may end up with just less than 50 lbs in a 1000 lbs batch - that’s just 5% of the lot.

Growing Peaberry Coffee

The limited research on peaberry coffee beans makes it difficult to narrow down the reasons for their enhanced flavors. Coffee enthusiasts can only attribute these higher qualities to their anatomy, variety, growing conditions, and processing. 

This is perhaps why Tanzanian peaberry beans will have a different flavor profile to Kenyan or Hawaiian peaberry coffee. Similarly, Tanzanian peaberry coffee also varies in flavor and quality based on the region they grow and how well they are grown. 

Tanzanian Peaberry Coffee Properties and Taste

Tanzanian peaberry coffee beans grow on rich organic volcanic highlands to give them their distinctively richer flavor. The single-seed anatomy of peaberry coffee beans is also linked to their higher caffeine levels.

Peaberry coffee typically boasts a sweet and deep taste with a pleasant aroma, bright acidity, and a well-balanced profile. However, their actual flavors vary based on region and farm. 

For instance, peaberry coffee from the southern highlands tends to have a fruity and floral profile with a richer acidity. On the other hand, northern highland peaberry coffee tends to have dark fruit, berry, and chocolate-y flavor notes with hints of sweeter floral notes. 

How to Enjoy Peaberry Coffee

You want to choose 100% peaberry coffee beans to truly experience peaberry coffee taste, aroma, and other properties. Some brands and roasteries brand their beans as “Peaberry”. However, they usually mix peaberry beans with arabica beans from the same lot. While the quality isn't bad, they don't represent the true taste of peaberry coffee.

As mentioned earlier, the quality of peaberry coffee beans can be attributed to the variety, growing conditions, and processing. But, the final flavors are also influenced by handling (including travel and quality control), roasting, and brewing.

Separating peaberry beans from regular beans before roasting goes a long way to improving the overall flavor and quality. The difference in size and shape means peaberries require different levels of heat transfer, speed roast, and temperature. 

Final Thoughts: Is Tanzanian Peaberry Coffee Worth It?

Peaberry coffee from Tanzania is worth it. If not for your curiosity in exploring this rare bean, Tanzanian peaberry coffee beans don’t disappoint in cup profile or quality. The good news is that you can find local roasters that offer the best deals.

Coast 2 Coast Roasters offer premium 100% arabica coffee beans with a gourmet profile and smooth chocolate flavor. In addition to its 100% peaberry content, the coffee comes at a competitive market price with your grind choice.

www.coast2coastroasters.com