Does “T.I.A.” mean anything to you?
If so, then you’ve been to Africa! I don’t need to explain, do I?
For those who aren’t familiar with the phrase, it’s an acronym for all the frustrating little things that happen day in and day out when you are in Africa. The “little things” that when you are home, would drive you to notify the authorities and have someone arrested. Or, simply not leave a tip at the restaurant. The little details in life that call for patience. This phrase, made famous in a movie a few years back, is oh - so apropos.
T.I.A. stands for “This is Africa” or as Sara Morrocchi says “This is Africa Baby” with a wry smile.
Don’t get me wrong; Africa is an amazing place. And I can’t wait to go back. The coffee this continent produces is some of the best in the world. But to find the coffee, you have to travel and deal with the little frustrations that cause you to say… “T.I.A.B.!”
About 10 days ago I embarked on an adventure to meet the Kanyovu Coop farmers located near the Gombe National Forest in Tanzania. Gombe was made famous by Jane Goodall and her research with Chimpanzees several decades ago. After traveling for 28 hours non-stop from Kansas City, I found myself in Dar Es Salom, Tanzania. Home of the friendlies people on earth. And I genuinely mean that. You will not meet a Tanzanian without a big toothy grin, hand-shake or wave.
After a one night stop over at a hotel in Dar Es Salom, I was prepared to board a late 1980’s French built twin-engine plane for a three hour flight to Kigoma, Tanzania. Sustainable Harvest at Origin makes their offices for east African coffees in Kigoma.
But it wasn’t quite that easy; in Africa it couldn’t be that simple.
As I approached the Precision Air airline counter, I am told - by an extremely friendly customer service representative - that I can board, but my luggage will have to stay behind. “T.I.A.B.” It seems the near perfectly blue sky gave concern to our pilot, and he preferred to have the extra fuel as opposed to my luggage. At least that’s what I was told. What could I say or do? So I agreed and boarded the flight. Leaving all my clothes and necessities behind on blind faith. “T.I.A.B.”
Three hours later, and a cloud free flight away, my twin-engine plane lands on a dirt runway, clouds of dust kicking up behind us, and I exit the plane in Kigoma, Tanzania.
Sara and Gena Eden of Sustainable Harvest are of course right on time to greet me, and to my surprise, they didn’t seem the least bit surprised that my luggage was sacrificed for the “additional fuel.” Sara says with a smile, “the more implausible the story, the more likely it’s true!” So without even checking the luggage carrousel we loaded up for our next destination, my home away from home, the Hilltop Hotel!
The next afternoon, following about 10 calls to the airline, we are told the luggage is in-fact there, available and that it had been sitting since the plane landed the day before. Seems the pilot had a change of heart but just didn’t tell the passengers. “T.I.A.B.” This is Africa!
And so began my trip to Tanzania. A week in Africa that I hoped would be the beginning of a long-term relationship to develop one of the most extraordinary coffees to ever come out of this sun drenched land. At least I hope this will be the case, in time.
“T.I.A.” - This is Africa, Baby!
Fortunately, I always carry my cupping spoons, so the business of coffee moved on.
Soon I’ll write more about the coffees, the people and the farms. I see a lot of potential in these coffees but much work is to be done.
Jeff
This morning, Adam (our roaster), Bryan (cupper and customer service rep) and I had a cupping that included a newer crop as well as 
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