In this episode, we are not only joined by our first coffee-farming guest, but also someone who is growing specialty coffee in South Africa! Des Wichmann is busting all kinds of preconceptions about coffee farming, successfully growing specialty lots at sea level in KZN on Mpenjati estate.
While there is a lot to learn about coffee farming in this episode, there may be even more lessons about entrepreneurship. Des has taught himself how to grow, pick, process, and even roast coffee, without a big community of coffee farmers around him. Listening to him talk about how he has experimented, rolled up his sleeves and just learned through experience is quite inspiring.
You may be able to find Mpenjati coffees to try at Cape Coffee Beans, at certain times. You can also learn more about Mpenjati on the company's website. You can even visit if you're in the area.
Unfortunately, we were not able to find the article written by Dylan Cummings that was mentioned in the episode.
Here is a link to the documentary about growing coffee in LA that was mentioned from Vice (Munchies).