Forget everything you think you know about "Robusta". Since we tried Tom's Canephora, a new era has dawned in our coffee cups.
When you think of coffee from Uganda, one name inevitably comes to mind: Tom Kalyesubula . Tom isn't just a trader; he's a fourth-generation coffee farmer. With his Little Farms initiative, he's made it his mission to highlight the hard work of Ugandan smallholder farmers and finally pay them the wages they deserve.
More than just a "wake-up call": Fine Canephora
For a long time, the Robusta bean (scientifically Coffea canephora ) was considered the unloved, bitter sibling of Arabica. But Tom and his network are proving otherwise. In the biodiverse gardens of Uganda, often in the Bushenyi region or in the fertile highlands, grows a Canephora variety known as "Fine Robusta" that is currently turning the coffee world upside down.
Instead of burnt rubber, here you taste:
- Rich chocolate notes 🍫
- Nutty warmth 🌰
- An incredibly full body and a thick, hazelnut-brown crema.
Little Farms: Small farms, big impact
The name says it all. Tom works with a network of small farmers who grow their coffee bushes not on huge plantations, but on their "Little Farms" behind their houses.
This method of cultivation is almost philosophical:
- More direct than direct: Tom brings the coffee practically from his own backyard (and those of his neighbors) directly to us. No anonymous middlemen.
- Natural diversity: Canephora plants are robust and grow in harmony with nature. They require less protection and thrive in the partial shade of banana plants and fruit trees.
- Generational knowledge: Tom combines the ancient knowledge of his ancestors with modern quality standards for the European market.
A partner on equal terms
With Tom Kalyesubula and Little Farms, we have a partner who fights for transparency. He often lives between Uganda and Germany, so he knows both worlds: the hands that pick the coffee and the cups in which it ends up.
This Canephora is for everyone who likes it strong, honest and chocolatey – and who wants to know who harvested their coffee.
Profile: Little Farms & Tom Kalyesubula
| feature | Details |
| founder | Tom Kalyesubula (4th generation coffee farmer) |
| Origin | Uganda (e.g. Bushenyi region / Central Uganda) |
| Coffee variety | 100% Canephora (Fine Robusta) |
| Flavor profile | Deep, chocolatey, nutty, low acidity, full body |
| Cultivation method | Small-scale mixed farming, hand-picked |
| mission | Direct market access for farmers, fair prices, transparency |