Coffee Details

• Coffee Varieties: Typica
• Processing Methods: Fully Washed 
• Flavor Profile: Known for fruity notes such as lychee, stone fruits, and a bright melon-like acidity.
• Elevation: 1,500 – 1,700 meters above sea level

Lunji Estate Coffee – Historical and Farm Information

Farm Name: Lunji Estate
Location: Mbeya Peak, Southern Highlands, Tanzania

Historical Overview

• German Settler Ruins: The farm features the ruins of one of the earliest German settlers’ farmhouses, likely from the late 19th or early 20th century.
• Original Ownership: Initially under the Chiefs of the WaSafwa and later possibly owned by the Moravian Church.
• Egan Family Era (1950s-1960s):
  • The main coffee trees were planted in the 1950s and early 1960s.
  • Owned by a British man, Egan, and his German wife, Ursula.
• Shamshu Somani Ownership (1960s-1990s):
  • Acquired by Shamshu Somani in the late 1960s.
  • Managed by a Goan caretaker until 1991, who passed away and was buried on the estate.
  • During the 1970s-1990s, the farm suffered neglect due to Somani being an absentee landlord, leading to overgrown weeds, no maintenance, and declining productivity.
  • Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) outbreaks became prevalent during this time.

Revival by Current Owners (1995-Present)

• Acquisition: In 1995, the current owners persuaded Shamshu Somani (then residing in Dublin) to sell the property.
• Rehabilitation Efforts:
  • Undertook extensive pruning, replanting, and maintenance to rebuild the plantation.
  • Overcame significant challenges to restore the farm’s health and productivity.