Karatu coffee cooperative recognised for quality at regional cupping
Monday, 20 July 2026
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1 min read
·By Admin
Highland estates around the district scored highly at a recent tasting, boosting hopes for the growing coffee-tourism trade.
A cooperative of smallholder coffee farmers from the Karatu highlands has been recognised for the quality of its beans at a regional cupping session.
The district's cool climate and volcanic soils have long produced sought-after arabica, and growers hope the recognition will help open new markets and draw more visitors to farm tours.
Several estates now welcome travellers for guided walks that follow the process from cherry to cup, part of a wider effort to grow agri-tourism alongside the safari trade.
"When people taste the coffee where it is grown, they remember Karatu," said one cooperative member.
The district's cool climate and volcanic soils have long produced sought-after arabica, and growers hope the recognition will help open new markets and draw more visitors to farm tours.
Several estates now welcome travellers for guided walks that follow the process from cherry to cup, part of a wider effort to grow agri-tourism alongside the safari trade.
"When people taste the coffee where it is grown, they remember Karatu," said one cooperative member.
