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© National Geographic Rena Effendi

Nespresso is launching REVIVING ORIGINS. It is a new initiative aimed at reintroducing coffee growing in areas where it is threatened. As part of the Nespresso AAA Program for Sustainable Quality, the company works with coffee growers in regions affected by conflicts, economic difficulties and ecological disasters.

This is part of Nespresso commitment to investing over CHF 500 million between 2014 and 2020 thanks to its programme “The Positive Cup”. It is a commitment to sustainable development in the world. Nespresso will invest CHF 10 million over the next five years to revitalize the coffee industry in some countries and promote rural economic development. This announcement comes with the launch of two “pure-origin” coffees from Eastern Zimbabwe and the Caquetá region of Colombia. These almost forgotten coffees are clearly unknown by the large audience of coffee-lovers and have truly almost disappeared in recent decades. With the Nespresso initiative and partnerships with local companies, coffee growers in these two regions are once again starting to ensure sustainable livelihoods and rebuilding the local economy, thus contributing to the development of their rural communities.

Tamuka mu Zimbabwe

© National Geographic Rena Effendi

Zimbabwe used to be a great producer of coffee. The entire production almost disappeared forever. At the end of the 1980s, coffee growers in Zimbabwe produced more than 15,000 tonnes of coffee. In the following years, production was virtually paralyzed due to climatic factors and economic instability. In 2017, production volumes had fallen to less than 500 tonnes.

In partnership with the international NGO TechnoServe, Nespresso worked with the local coffee growers’ community in Manicaland Province in eastern Zimbabwe to bring sustainable farming practices. The arrival of qualified trainers and new techniques enabled producers to deal with problems related to coffee processing and coffee management. This investment has produced a high quality Arabica coffee, available since May and for a limited period in 18 countries, including Switzerland.

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Nespresso-zimbabwe-coffee-origins
© National Geographic Rena Effendi

With their cool temperatures, good rainfall, and rich soil, the lush valleys of Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands are well suited for growing arabica coffee. Honde Valley, in the Mutasa district, now has more than 300 active coffee farmers.

The Tamuka mu Zimbabwe has a complex fruity profile and a crisp, fresh acidity with notes of cranberries, blackcurrant and grapes. When adding milk, the coffee takes on a creamy and silky texture, making it ideal for the macchiato. The coffee is balanced, round and reveals slight hints of caramel when prepared with milk.

Esperanza de Colombia

© National Geographic Rena Effendi
Nespresso-Colombia-coffee-origins
© National Geographic Rena Effendi

Colombia has been under internal conflits for more than 50 years. All these conflicts pushed the coffee growers to abandon their land. Coffee cultivation had virtually disappeared from the Caquetá region of Colombia. Nespresso worked in partnership with local producers and the Colombian Coffee Producers Association to rebuild this economic sector. As part of the Nespresso AAA Program for Sustainable Quality, Nespresso’s agronomists provide training to coffee growers and share their expertise in sustainable farming practices, quality improvement, and environmental and water management.

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Esperanza de Colombia is a sweet coffee with very little acidity. Perfectly balanced and round, it seduces by its aromas of yellow fruits and its light notes of cereals.

Nespresso and National Geographic

Nespresso has worked with National Geographic to document the impact of the Reviving Origins initiative in Zimbabwe and Colombia. They developed together the “Beyond the Bean” project. This project follows National Geographic photographer, Rena Effendi, across the globe to Zimbabwe, Colombia, Indonesia, Ethiopia and Guatemala to find the most inspiring and thought-provoking stories beyond the coffee beans. The results of this collaboration can be seen on the National Geographic website: www.nationalgeographic.com/beyond-the-bean

The Nespresso Sustainable Quality AAA Program

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Launched in 2003, the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program is a quality coffee sourcing program, designed and implemented specifically for Nespresso, in collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance. Through long-standing partnerships with farmers, coffee suppliers and cooperatives, with support from NGOs, the program has evolved considerably over time. Sustainable farm management is still at its heart, but today it also focuses on community and landscape resilience, and the wider systemic challenges the sector faces.

Please check more information by visiting the Nespresso official website here: https://www.nespresso.com

José Amorim
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.