Red Apple | Hazelnut | Chocolate
Uganda
Sironko
Red Apple | Hazelnut | Chocolate
KEY DETAILS
Process: Washed
Region: Sironko, Budadiri sub-county, Mount Elgon, Uganda
Altitude: 1,500–1,850 m
Varietal: SL28, SL34
Traceability: Region – Sironko
Harvest Period: October to February
Roast Profile: Medium – chosen to maintain clarity and acidity while delivering body and sweetness in the cup
THE COFFEE
Grown by smallholder farmers around the Sironko washing station on Mount Elgon’s eastern slopes, this lot benefits from rigorous selective harvest and post-harvest procedure. At altitude, the cherries develop density and flavour precursors, then arrive at the station where they undergo flotation grading, mechanical depulping and demucilation, followed by carefully controlled drying which preserves the bright fruit and structural sweetness.
In the cup you’ll find crisp red-apple sweetness leading into hazelnut characters, with a chocolate-laden foundation that gives body and weight. The medium roast accentuates this balance: the acidity remains present but controlled, the body feels refined rather than heavy, and the finish is clean yet satisfying. This is a washed Ugandan coffee with precision and clarity, offering expressive fruit and structured sweetness rather than rustic heaviness.
THE PROCESS - WASHED
Cherries are hand-picked and subjected to flotation sorting to identify the densest, highest-quality beans. These are depulped, demucilaged, then dried in mechanical chambers tailored to minimise risk of degradation – with the initial “skin dry” phase lasting ~7 hours, and total drying time of ~21-48 hours to ~12 % moisture. The result is a clean, vibrant washed profile, one that preserves fruit clarity and reduces variability.
THE REGION - SIRONKO
Mount Elgon’s volcanic soils, consistent rain, and high-altitude environment create a terroir well-suited for Arabica cultivation. Sironko’s station lies at ~1,250 m, with sourcing from farms up to 1,850 m, enabling beans with desirable density and complexity. The name “Sironko” itself means ‘solace’ or ‘peacefulness’ in the Lumasaba language of the region, reflecting the local heritage and connection to the land.