Artisan Roast: Malawi, Chisi Zone, Washed

Chisi is a washing station in the northern Misuku region of Malawi near the border with Southern Tanzania. The station serves 79 smallholder families and takes its name, which means ‘darkness’ in the local Ndali language, from the hillside it is built on – so called because a unique micro-climate means the hill is often covered in cloud and noticeably cooler than the surrounding region. At Artisan Roast we find that this pulping station has stand-out quality in terms of Malawi and showcases what the country can produce in terms of quality

Chisi’s micro-climate is crucial in two ways. Firstly, the zone grows more geisha variety than its neighbours and the climate in Chisi, along with its altitude which stretches up to 1850m asl, is more suited to geisha than neighbouring zones. Secondly, the drying coffee is more protected from the East African sun, allowing the green unroasted coffee to stay fresh for roasting longer.

This micro-lot of Chisi has a dense dark molasses like sweetness running through the brewed coffee. Primary flavours that support this are fruit like flavours of plum and orange citrus, with further flavours of rye malt, nutmeg and milk chocolate as the coffee cools. On an aeropress this profile will lead more towards the plum and citrus fruits, especially if brewed at around 85°C with a coffee dose. With a filter brew this roast profile of Chisi brings out more of the dark molasses like sweetness, spice and rye malt characteristics.