Norman Mukuru started his career as an agronomist in his home region of Kasese, near Uganda's western border. He
pursued further education as an agronomical engineer and applied his attention to coffee in the area. One of the largest
exporters in the region—Great Lakes—recruited him to set up their collection and processing operations, which he did so
successfully that they asked him to travel east, to Mt. Elgon, to do it again there.
This time, though, Norman wanted to set up something for himself, and so he founded The Coffee Yards—a central
processing plant outside of Mbale town where parchment and cherry from up the mountain could come for better drying
and professional processing. He originally opened this up as a service for farmers who would rent space in the yards, but
as security concerns emerged, and as Norman perceived greater opportunity for processing efficiency, standardization,
and payment acceleration, Norman pivoted toward purchasing all cherry himself.
When Great Lakes collapsed, Norman was left with The Coffee Yards and all of its up-mountain networks, but lacked the
financing to continue purchasing and operations. Our Importer is lucky and honored to have met Norman at a time in his
career when he was open to applying his attention to specialty exports, and we hope to remain a key partner has his
business grows and becomes more and more sustainable.
 
COUNTRY Uganda
LOT The Coffee Yards, 96 Hour Natural
REGION Mt. Elgon
ALTITUDE (MASL) 1400 - 2000
VARIETALS SL14, SL28, Nyasaland 
TASTING NOTES Strawberry, banana, chocolate sauce, cherry brownie,
 
 Extended natural: whole cherries are sealed for ~96-hour dry fermentation,
then slowly dried on raised beds with careful shade management to protect the fruit.