Zambia Nakonde Coffee
Peach, lemon and caramel from the far north of Zambia, near the Tanzanian border.
A coffee from Nakonde, in the north of Zambia on the Tanzanian border, in a country where Catholic missionaries planted the first coffee in the 1950s. The cup is gentle and sweet: peach, caramel and lemon over black tea.
Sensory profile
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 90 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 37.5 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
| Brewing method | Kalita Wave |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | 1:17 |
| Dose & yield | 18g → 300g |
| Grind size | Medium-fine |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 3:00-3:30 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 18 g whole coffee beans, freshly roasted
- 300 g filtered water at 93°C
Required gear
- Cone or flat-bottom dripper
- Paper filters
- Gooseneck kettle
- Burr grinder
- Scale accurate to 1 g
- Timer
- Server or carafe
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Rinse the paper filter with hot water, discard the rinse, and add 18 g ground medium-fine. Level the bed.
- 0:00Start the timer and pour 36 g of water at 93°C, wetting every part of the bed. Let it bloom.
- 0:45Pour in slow spirals up to 180 g total, keeping the bed submerged and the level steady.
- 1:30Final pour up to 300 g total. Give the dripper one gentle swirl to settle the bed flat.
- 3:15Drawdown should finish around here. Swirl the server and serve.
What it may be good for
A number worth knowing
We list about 90 mg for an 8 oz cup.
A gentle cup
Peach, caramel and black tea make for a soft, sweet cup that is easy to drink slowly.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you.
A coffee from Nakonde, in the north of Zambia on the Tanzanian border, in a country where Catholic missionaries planted the first coffee in the 1950s. The cup is gentle and sweet: peach, caramel and lemon over black tea.
Origin & Story
Zambia is not a country most people link with coffee, and its story is short. Catholic missionaries brought coffee in the 1950s to diversify the country's exports, and in the 1970s the World Bank, the government and later the FAO set up coffee projects to encourage smallholders to grow it.
Most of the coffee grows in the north, in the Muchinga highlands around Kasama, Isoka and Nakonde, where the Mafinga Hills, at about 2,300 meters, are the highest point in the country.
Smallholders grow coffee in the north, while larger estates exist around Serenje and Lusaka. Arabica does best in the Northern Province, at roughly 1,300 to 1,600 meters around the Mafinga Hills, in mild tropical conditions.
The varieties have been a balancing act. Growers turned to Catimor, a hybrid that is hardier but tastes less sweet, and the government later returned to favoring Bourbon, so the country now grows a mix of Bourbon and Catimor.
In the cup, a good Nakonde is gentle: peach and lemon, caramel, and a clean black-tea finish. The recipe here uses a Kalita Wave at 93°C. It is a cup that does not shout, and it rewards a slow drink as it cools.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 87/100 |
| Acidity | 86/100 |
| Bitterness | 18/100 |
| Body | 54/100 |
| Aroma | 90/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Zambia Nakonde Coffee?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 90 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Zambia Nakonde Coffee?
Target 93°C (199°F).
How long should Zambia Nakonde Coffee be extracted?
Timing: 3:00-3:30. Method: Kalita Wave. Ratio: 60g/L (18g coffee to 300g water). Grind or leaf format: Medium-fine.
Does Zambia grow good coffee?
In a small way, yes. Zambian coffee grows mostly in the northern highlands at altitude, and although the industry is young, its Bourbon and Catimor arabica can make sweet, clean cups like this one.
What is Catimor?
Catimor is a hybrid coffee variety bred for higher yields and resistance to pests and leaf rust. It is hardier than older varieties such as Bourbon, and it is often thought to taste less sweet, which is why some countries have moved back toward Bourbon.
Who should avoid Zambia Nakonde Coffee?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Hario V60 Size 02 Ceramic Dripper
In this recipe: Cone or flat-bottom dripper
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