Allen Leibowitz and the crew at Zingerman's Coffee Company taste all sorts of beans from all over the world. One of their driving passions is bringing little known productions from small farmers back to coffee lovers here in the states. This month they're presenting Malawi Mzuzu, a peaberry coffee from the small landlocked nation in southeastern Africa. 

"What really caught my interest was the distinct notes of orange zest in the nose and on the tongue," Allen explained. "It's really bright and citrusy but there are notes of cocoa that round out the cup and really balance its flavor." 

Peaberry coffees are rare in themselves. Only about 5% of the world's coffee crop is classified as peaberry. Normally, a coffee fruit holds two seeds (or beans) inside the fruit. As the beans grow together, they flatten on one side giving them an oval shape. Peaberries occur when the fruit only produces one bean inside instead of two. The extra room gives the bean a more rounded or "pea" shape that's reputed to roast more evenly and produce a better flavor. In short, they're highly coveted and make a great tasting coffee. 

Roast: medium
Body: full, smooth 
Tasting Notes: bright and citrusy with notes of orange zest and lingering hints of cocoa
Facts: Roasted fresh by Zingerman's Coffee Company. Shipped whole bean.