Uganda Norman Mukuru from the South Bohemian roastery Kmen Coffee Roasters in České Budějovice is an espresso that comes across as sweet, playful, and very pleasantly rounded. The flavor profile blends half-dipped cookies, orange marmalade, and port wine, resulting in a cup characterized by subtle sweetness, fruity juiciness, and a hint of wine-like depth. The resulting profile is approachable, yet interesting enough to remain engaging even when sipped slowly. It’s an espresso that doesn’t feel heavy, but rather smooth and elegant, with a fruity-sweet character you’ll find yourself returning to.
The coffee comes from Uganda, from the Mbale region on the slopes of Mount Elgon, and is the work of Norman Mukuru and his project , The Coffee Yard. Norman buys coffee cherries from farmers in districts such as Sironko, Mbale, and Bulambuli, and this year he partnered his project with The Coffee Gardens, a center that helps local farmers with education, cultivation, and access to agricultural equipment. The brand notes that Norman has nearly 20 years of experience in the coffee industry and has been producing naturally processed coffee since 2018. The lot consists of the SL28, Nyasaland, and SL14 varieties , which, combined with the Mount Elgon terroir, give the coffee its distinctive yet clean profile.
Processing is done using the natural method, and the entire process is managed with an emphasis on the uniformity and purity of the resulting flavor. Upon arrival at the station, the cherries undergo floating and initial drying on raised beds, which helps remove initial moisture. This is followed by further sorting by moisture content and color, fermentation in open tanks, and typically about 21 days of drying until the coffee drops below 12% moisture. The lot then rests and stabilizes, after which it undergoes further sorting—both by hand and machine—before export. It is precisely this meticulous natural process that translates into the cup as sweetness, fruitiness, and a delicate wine-like finish.