Rinaldo's Coffee: Malawi, Sable Farm, Natural

The consistently outstanding coffee coming out of Sable Farms is the result of a foundational belief: invest in the farming practices that support the farm.

Southern Malawi, landlocked and hampered by a lack of infrastructure, is not an easy place to grow coffee. But these farmers pour their efforts into using their limited resources with a thoughtfulness that’s brought healthy growth and a global reputation.

The SL28 Varietal is among the most well-known and well-regarded varieties of Africa. It has consequently spread from Kenya, where it was originally selected in the 1930s, to other parts of Africa (it is important in Arabica-growing regions of Uganda, in particular) and now to Latin America. The variety is suited for medium to high altitudes and shows resistance to drought, but is susceptible to the major diseases of coffee. SL28 is notable for its rusticity—a quality meaning that it can be left untended for years or even decades at a time, and then return to successful production. There are SL28 trees in many parts of Kenya that are 60-80 years old and still productive.