Mbeya is a region in the Southern Highlands of southwestern Tanzania, and the line on the bag, "Mbeya, Tanzania, 1,200 to 1,900 m", tells you three things: where the coffee comes from, that it grows at a wide range of heights, and what to expect in the cup. For No. 9 Optimism that means pear, floral, jasmine and strawberry notes, best brewed as a pour-over or Aeropress. It is $28 for 12 oz, ships free in the US, whole bean or ground.
Our pick
No. 9 Optimism
Mbeya, Tanzania · 1,200 to 1,900 m · Fully washed, dried on raised beds · Bourbon, Kent · Medium-light
Pear, floral, jasmine and strawberry on the label, suggested for pour-over or Aeropress.
What does the region line tell you?
Region tells you the place, and place sets the broad character. Mbeya sits in the south of Tanzania, in highland country. The label gives no farm or lot, and we do not add any. What we can say is public geography, and the numbers printed on the bag.
Why does the altitude range matter?
The label says 1,200 to 1,900 m. That is a spread of 700 m, which is wide. The label does not say how the coffee is divided across that range, so we will not guess. As a general rule in coffee, higher growing sites tend to produce brighter, more acidic cups, and the notes on this bag, pear and floral, point that way. Read it as a hint, not a promise.
What do the process and varietal lines mean?
Two more lines sit beside the region.
- Fully washed: the fruit is removed from the seed before drying. Washed coffees usually taste cleaner than naturals.
- Dried on raised beds: the coffee dries on mesh beds off the ground, which allows air to move underneath.
- Bourbon, Kent: the two varietals listed.
- Roast: medium-light, as the roaster states it.
Put together, the label points to a clean, light-bodied cup, and the notes agree.
| Label line | What it says | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Mbeya, Tanzania | Highland coffee from southwestern Tanzania |
| Altitude | 1,200 to 1,900 m | A wide range, with a bright lean |
| Process | Fully washed, dried on raised beds | A clean cup |
| Varietal | Bourbon, Kent | Listed, nothing more to infer |
| Roast | Medium-light | Keeps the fruit and flowers |
| Notes | Pear, floral, jasmine, strawberry | Bright and tea-like |
How should you brew it?
The roaster suggests pour-over or Aeropress. It describes the cup as bright and tea-like, and says it flattens faster than the others, so drink it while it is hot. A hot cup left on the counter is the quickest way to lose what the label promises.
The full recipe is in the No. 9 Optimism brewing guide, so we will not repeat it. For ratios and timing, see the pour-over ratio cheat sheet, and if you are new to the method, pour-over for beginners. If you plan to drink it cold, Tanzanian vs Kenyan for iced coffee compares it with No. 4 Conjuncture.
How does it differ from our other bright coffee?
No. 4 Conjuncture, from Othaya, Nyeri County, Kenya, is the other bright option, with orange, lemon and floral on the label. Optimism leans toward pear and strawberry. If you like both, the single-bag story for Optimism is on Tanzanian coffee beans: our Mbeya bag.
When should you drink it?
Early, and hot. A bright, tea-like cup is at its best in the first few minutes, and the roaster says it flattens faster than the others. That makes it a morning coffee for a person who drinks the cup right away, and a poor choice for a thermos that sits for hours. If you want a coffee that stays good in the thermos, the label of the Sumatran bag reads sturdier.
Is it worth a subscription?
If you drink it every morning, the subscription is 11% off, and you can skip or cancel in one click. If you want to try something else first, see all ten coffees.
What does the label not say?
It does not name a farm, a lot or a cup score, and we have no extra facts beyond the roaster's notes, so we have not added any. What is printed is enough to choose by.
Read the region line, then taste whether it was right.
Questions people ask
Where is Mbeya, Tanzania?
Mbeya is a region in the Southern Highlands of southwestern Tanzania, in the south of the country near the borders with Zambia and Malawi.
What does fully washed mean on a coffee label?
The fruit is removed from the seed before it is dried. For No. 9 Optimism the beans are then dried on raised beds, which is also printed on the label.
What is the best way to brew Tanzanian coffee?
We suggest pour-over or Aeropress. The roaster calls it bright and tea-like and says it flattens faster than the others, so drink it while it is hot.
Free printable
Keep the ratio chart on your fridge
One page with grams, level tablespoons and scoops for every cup size and for coffee makers from 2 to 14 cups. Leave your email and the download link appears right here.