In short
- Experience hands-on roasting and grinding of Arabica beans.
- Learn about Chagga agricultural traditions and banana farming.
- Sing traditional songs while pounding beans in a wooden mortar.
In this article
A visit to Materuni is not just about the 80-meter waterfall. The surrounding village, located at 1,700 meters above sea level, is home to the Chagga people. They are expert farmers who grow bananas and Arabica coffee on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. A traditional coffee tour lets you join them to make coffee from scratch.
What is the Chagga coffee experience like?
It is an interactive cultural tour where you process coffee beans by hand.
You will visit a local homestead in Materuni Village. The Chagga hosts guide you through the entire process of making coffee, from raw bean to a brewed cup. You will peel, roast, and grind the Arabica beans yourself using traditional tools.
How is the coffee roasted and ground?
The beans are roasted over an open fire and pounded in a large wooden mortar.
After removing the outer shells, you roast the beans in a pan over a wood fire. You must stir them constantly so they roast evenly. Once roasted, the beans go into a tall wooden mortar. You use a heavy wooden pestle to pound them into a fine powder.
This grinding step is a group effort. The hosts will teach you traditional Chagga songs to sing while keeping rhythm with the pestle.
What do you drink on the tour?
You drink the organic Arabica coffee you just processed.
The freshly ground powder is boiled in water right over the fire. The result is a strong, fresh cup of organic coffee grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Kilimanjaro. Many tours also include a taste of local banana beer, another specialty of the Chagga people.
How much does the coffee tour cost?
The tour is usually bundled with your waterfall guide fee, costing between $35 and $90 USD.
Independent travelers pay a village entrance fee of 10,000 TZS and a mandatory guide fee starting around 15,000 TZS. However, booking an all-inclusive day trip is the most common way to visit. These packages cover transportation from Moshi, the waterfall hike, the coffee tour, and a traditional lunch.
What else do you learn about the Chagga culture?
You learn about their farming methods and enjoy a traditional local meal.
The Chagga practice intercropping, growing coffee plants in the shade of large banana trees. You will see these methods as you walk through the village. After the coffee tour, most groups sit down for a meal. You will typically eat Ndizi Nyama, a traditional stew made with bananas and meat.
How long does the coffee tour take?
The hands-on coffee processing takes about one hour.
You will spend roughly 60 minutes at the homestead roasting and grinding the beans. Add another 45 minutes if you are staying for the traditional lunch. This cultural experience easily fits into a half-day or full-day itinerary along with the 45-to-60-minute hike to the waterfall.
Questions travellers ask
Can I buy coffee beans at Materuni Village?
Yes. You can purchase bags of locally roasted Arabica coffee directly from the farmers. Bring small cash in TZS or USD to buy beans and leave tips.
Is the coffee tour suitable for children?
Yes. Children enjoy the interactive nature of pounding the beans and learning the traditional Chagga songs. Read more in our Visiting With Kids guide.
Do I need a guide for the coffee tour?
Yes. A local guide is strictly mandatory to navigate the village and participate in the cultural activities.
