Ituri Highlands

Ituri Highlands Coffee: A Hidden Gem of the DRC

Nestled in the northeastern corner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Ituri Highlands is a lush, elevated landscape of rolling hills, volcanic soils, and forested slopes. While often overshadowed by the famed highlands of Kivu, Ituri offers a unique and underexplored Arabica coffee origin that reflects both the richness of its land and the dedication of its smallholder farmers.

Geography and Growing Conditions

The Ituri Highlands rise between 1,200 and 2,000 meters above sea level, with volcanic soils and a cool, humid climate that are ideal for Arabica coffee. These conditions allow beans to mature slowly, developing complex sugars and nuanced flavors. Coffee farms are mostly small-scale and family-run, integrating coffee trees with food crops and relying on traditional cultivation practices.

Cup Profile

Ituri Highlands coffee is celebrated for its balance and drinkability. Key attributes include:

Medium body

Mild, pleasant acidity

Earthy and woody undertones

Subtle fruity and chocolate notes

These characteristics make Ituri coffee versatile — suitable for both specialty single-origin roasting and blended coffees that benefit from its balanced profile.

Challenges and Opportunities

Like much of northeastern DRC, the Ituri Highlands face infrastructure limitations and market access challenges, which have historically constrained coffee production and export. Nonetheless, there is significant potential: improved processing facilities, farmer cooperatives, and access to specialty markets could elevate the region’s coffee to international recognition.

A Coffee Region to Watch

The Ituri Highlands may be one of the DRC’s lesser-known coffee origins, but its high-altitude Arabica, fertile volcanic soils, and committed farming communities make it a promising and distinctive origin. For roasters and coffee enthusiasts seeking unique African Arabicas, Ituri represents a hidden gem — a coffee that combines tradition, terroir, and subtle complexity in every cup.