Nespresso has announced the launch of Reviving Origins, a new program to restore coffee farming in regions where it is under threat.
Nespresso is investing CHF10 million (about US$9.8 million) over the next five years to revive the coffee industries in selected countries with the aim of encouraging rural economic development. Reviving Origins is part of Nespresso’s overall commitment to invest CHF500 million (about US$490 million) from 2014 to 2020 in its sustainability program, The Positive Cup. “Through our Reviving Origins program, we have an opportunity to bring back forgotten coffees, boost economic development in regions where there has been significant adversity and share a completely new taste experience with consumers.” Nespresso CEO Jean-Marc Duvoisin says. The announcement comes alongside the launch of two new single-origin coffees from Eastern Zimbabwe and Caquetá, Colombia. Tamuka mu Zimbabwe and Esperanza de Colombia will be available from May 2019 in 18 countries.
Nespresso says as a result of its investment and the commitment of its partners, coffee farmers in these two regions are starting to rebuild sustainable livelihoods, restore their local economies, and bring much-needed development to their rural communities.
The United States Department of Agriculture says in the late 1980s, Zimbabwean coffee farmers produced over 15,000 tonnes of coffee. However, production almost came to a complete halt as a result of climate factors and economic instability in the country. By 2017, production levels were at less than 500 tonnes. In partnership with the global non-profit TechnoServe, Nespresso has worked with the local coffee farming community in Manicaland Province, eastern Zimbabwe, to establish sustainable farming practices, and bring expert trainers and new techniques to tackle issues such as coffee processing and tree management. The company says this investment has helped to produce a higher quality Arabica coffee that will be available for a limited period in 18 countries.
“This project is not only bringing back some of the world’s best coffee – it is bringing back economic opportunities in Zimbabwe’s hard-hit rural areas,” Technoserve President and CEO William Warshauer says. “As a non-profit that takes a business approach to reducing poverty, TechnoServe is excited to partner with Nespresso and the farmers of Zimbabwe to build a brighter and more prosperous future.” Nespresso says Tamuka mu Zimbabwe is bursting with complex fruitiness and zesty, bright acidity, with notes of cranberry to red berries, and currant to grape. It has a creamy, smooth texture when milk is added, making it ideal for a latte macchiato. It’s balanced and round and has sweet notes of caramel and toffee when mixed with milk.
Coffee almost disappeared in Caquetá, Colombia following 50 years of conflict, which meant many farmers abandoned their lands. Nespresso partnered with local farmers and the Colombian National Coffee Growers Federation to support the rebuilding of this industry. Through its AAA Sustainable Quality Program, Nespresso’s agronomists provided training and expertise on sustainable farming practices, quality development and environment and water management.
According to the Colombian National Coffee Growers Federation, “The Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Program has had a positive social and economic impact in the Caquetá region. “It has allowed [us] to generate new life opportunities for the coffee growing communities of San Vicente del Caguán and Florencia through the improvement of the quality of their coffee and the implementation of sustainable agriculture practices”. Esperanza de Colombia is a mild coffee that is very light in acidity. Nespresso says it’s beautifully balanced and rounded, and it has aromas of yellow fruits with a hint of a cereal note. For more information, visit www.nespresso.com
