The Royal Blog

Get an early look at the Crown Jewel coffees arriving through the end of 2026, from Ethiopian naturals and rare Guatemalan cultivars to Colombian co-ferments and new origins in Asia.

Ethiopia remains coffee’s genetic homeland and one of its most iconic origins, prized for bright, juicy cups with dazzling clarity. With a record 11.56 million bags produced in 2025/26 and exports moving primarily through Djibouti’s port, the country’s smallholder-and-cooperative model continues to deliver standout lots from Yirgacheffe, Sidama, Guji, Harar, and beyond even as fuel shortages and rising cherry prices test the supply chain.

Uganda ranks among the world’s top 10 coffee producers, with Robusta making up roughly 80% of its output and Arabica the rest. As a landlocked country routing exports through Kenya’s port of Mombasa, Uganda has long been known for heavy-bodied, chocolate-forward cups but a new wave of specialty lots is revealing floral, tea-like, and fruit-forward profiles rarely associated with the origin.

We expected a quick visit. Instead, it became one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.