When you dream about the drinks you’ll be sipping on when holidaying on a tropical island, coffee might not be on top of the list. It might be cliché, but exotic cocktails in shades of coral, turquois and yellow come to mind. Short, steaming coffees are out, something tall with condensation and a fruity garnish is in. If, however, you would consider that the world’s top coffee producing countries are in the tropics and that you are probably finding yourself between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer, it might make sense to keep coffee on your tropical holiday list!
I have been lucky enough to spend a short break in the Seychelles. The islands and atolls of the Seychelles archipelago are truly paradise with its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, lush forests and exotic animals. A flight of less than four hours will take you from this island paradise to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Africa’s most important coffee producing country. Does this mean that these holiday islands have terroir suited to coffee production too? Indeed. While perhaps not as renowned as the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java or perhaps Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, the Seychelle coffee culture extends to more than its tourism offering and hospitality – it also has coffee plantations.
Grown on the slopes of Mahé island, Seychellois coffee production not only benefits from the tropical climate but also unique microclimates, the rich volcanic soils and the fact that most plantations are in the shade. This unique terroir and limited production result in a bright flavour profile with tropical notes and a distinctive, smooth palate. Worth a try when you are choosing your brew from just an island or two away, don’t you think?
While coffee originates from Ethiopia, only a short flight away (read more), it was the French who introduced coffee to the Seychelles in the early 19th century. With the boom in coffee culture and the interest in terroir-specific and seasonal offerings, the Seychellois coffee, first produced for local consumption, became interesting as a niche product of high quality. It has a distinct flavour because of the unique environment and careful cultivation on the island. While not an important player in the world of coffee, it makes a difference to local farmers and adds to the agricultural diversity. Creating experiences around local coffee with roasting houses and tasting, tourism also have another avenue to explore.
Something I found most interesting was the fact that the quality of the coffee is deemed better because the plants grow predominantly in the shade. Why would that be beneficial to the quality of coffee? According to those in the know, it is because beans mature slower in the shade, allowing the development of complex flavours. It reminds one of wine grapes growing in cool conditions and bread proofing at lower temperatures. Low and slow are what you want so that sugars develop into smoother and more complex flavour profiles. Coffee plants would naturally thrive in the shade of trees. Creating such habitats for exceptional biodiversity contribute to the plant’s natural wellbeing and health, resulting in a reduced need for chemicals and water. Healthier plants have a longer lifespan and help to support a sustainable and profitable economy.
While coffee is more important to and in the Seychelles than I would have thought, it is still predominantly enjoyed as a morning drink or afternoon cup – similar to what we do in the rest of the world. Do you enjoy your coffee with a pastry or sweet treat? You can of course find delicious, imported coffees and croissants if you like to stick with what you know, but you can also enjoy your morning brew with a more adventurous local choice of fried breadfruit chips! And if you like to experience the culture of the place you visit, you must order a Seychellois coffee and enjoy its tropical notes with a few fun banana fritters. There are more than 22 species of banana trees in the Seychelles and while you can simply eat a banana as one of your five a day, you can also find it in a wide variety of creative dishes.
Am I going to conclude telling you that the Seychelles produce its own wine too? Indeed! But other than coffee production suited to the tropical climate of these exotic islands, wine grapes prefer a Mediterranean climate. You will find wine, but it is palm wine! Made from the sap of different palm trees, this alcoholic drink known as ‘calou‘, ‘kalou‘, or ‘toddy‘ might not be on the wine list of fancy restaurants, but you will definitely find it in food stalls or at markets – and similar to the coffee and banana treats, you should give it a try!