The Disappearing Coffee... The Story Contained in a Cup of Nespresso

Nespresso's Amaha Awe Uganda. Photo by Nespresso

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Coffee has become an indispensable part of the busy daily lives of modern people, but in some regions, coffee cultivation is becoming increasingly difficult. Moreover, coffee farmers who have made a living by growing coffee are also facing hardships due to this. Political conflicts, economic and social issues, and climate change are among the reasons. Is there a way to make coffee cultivation possible again in these areas and revive the lives of coffee farmers?

Premium coffee brand Nespresso has been making various efforts based on the belief that "a cup of coffee can bring positive changes to society and the environment." Among these efforts, the ‘Reviving Origins’ program is a long-term partnership initiative where Nespresso and farmers work together to revive disappearing coffee. Nespresso provides equipment, technology, and education to regions where coffee cultivation has become difficult, helping to restore high-quality coffee, transform farmers' lives, and enable sustainable coffee production. This year, Nespresso introduced stories from Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Colombia along with the revived coffees from each region.

■ ‘Courage’ gained after overcoming a turbulent history: ‘Uganda’ = The Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda are considered a perfect place for coffee cultivation due to fertile soil and abundant rainfall. However, coffee yield and quality declined due to a turbulent history.

Through the ‘Reviving Origins’ program, Nespresso has provided sustainable farming education over 200 times to about 2,000 registered local farms. They also established coffee processing centers and applied strict selection processes and sustainable farming methods, achieving improvements in coffee quality and productivity.

Joseph, a coffee farmer in Uganda, said, “Uganda almost lost its coffee due to a turbulent history, but now, together with Nespresso, we have gained the courage to present good coffee again,” adding, “With this courage, we are completing the finest coffee.”

Nespresso’s ‘Amaha Awe Uganda,’ introduced with Ugandan farmers, is an Arabica coffee characterized by a rare sandalwood scent and elegant floral aroma with wild, rich notes. It is available as Original Espresso (40mL) or Lungo (110mL) and Vertuo Grand Lungo (150mL) coffee.

Tamuka Mu Zimbabwe of Nespresso. Photo by Nespresso

■ Overcoming climate change and regaining the ‘pride’ of a dream coffee region: ‘Zimbabwe’ = Zimbabwe was once a dream coffee cultivation area but faced the threat of losing coffee due to rapid climate change and unstable economic conditions.

Nespresso transferred the necessary sustainable coffee farming techniques to about 700 local farms registered in the ‘Reviving Origins’ program. This region has shown a positive result with a 10% increase in coffee production. Currently, the coffee production meeting Nespresso’s selection standards reaches 17.6 tons.

Anna, a coffee farmer in Zimbabwe, said, “Due to harsh external conditions, we had to give up coffee farming, and Zimbabwean coffee was forgotten, but now, together with Nespresso, we have a dream to present good coffee again,” adding, “With this pride, we are completing the finest coffee.”

Nespresso’s ‘Tamuka Mu Zimbabwe,’ introduced with Zimbabwean farmers, is an Arabica coffee featuring rich fruity aromas of red berries, raisins, and cranberries, along with a refreshing acidity. It can be enjoyed as Original Espresso (40mL) or Lungo (110mL) and Vertuo Espresso (40mL) coffee.

Nespresso's Esperanza de Colombia. Photo by Nespresso

■ Regaining ‘hope’ to become a world-class coffee region again after over 50 years of conflict: ‘Colombia’ = Colombia is known as a representative coffee-producing country but has gained a new start opportunity through a peace agreement after more than 50 years of conflict.

To help Colombia cultivate good coffee again, Nespresso provided necessary tools, processing equipment, and technology such as 600 solar dryers and 135 depulping machines to small-scale coffee farmers in regions including Caquet? and El Rosario through the ‘Reviving Origins’ program.

About 1,000 farms in Colombia participate in Nespresso’s ‘Reviving Origins’ program, with a 100% education participation rate among local farmers. These efforts culminated in ‘Esperanza de Colombia,’ a coffee born with the message of ‘hope,’ featuring rich and balanced flavors, fragrant fruit notes, and delicate acidity. It is available as Original Espresso (40mL) or Lungo (110mL) and Vertuo Mug (230mL) coffee.

Nespresso’s ‘Reviving Origins’ program has created positive outcomes through collaboration with farmers in disappearing coffee regions and revived rare coffees. The ‘Reviving Origins’ coffees, presented with messages of ‘Courage,’ ‘Pride,’ and ‘Hope,’ are available in six varieties?three each in Original and Vertuo?at 22 boutiques nationwide (19 official boutiques and 3 pop-up/nano boutiques), Nespresso’s official website, mobile app, and Nespresso Club.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.