Kimango Farm Products
Chili ~ Hibiscus Tea ~ Paprika ~ Lemon Grass Tea
At Kimango Farms we organically grow, process and pack chili, hibiscus, paprika and lemon grass. Our annual production is around 40.000 kg of herbal teas and spices. Most of our products are exported in 15-25 kg units by sea container to Europe where we have established a reputation for excellent quality. Our herbal teas are also sold on the East African Market.
Our importer in Germany is:
- BioSim e.K., Zugspitzstrasse 17: 82396 Paehl; Germany; Tel: +49/8808/923580; www.bioSim-online.de
Our buyers in Tanzania are:
- Chai Bora; TATEPA Ltd.; P.O.Box 1344; Dar es Salaam
- Afritea Ltd; P.O.Box 747; Lugoda Street, Dar es Salaam
Our Products
Chili
Doto harvesting Cayenne chilis.
In the last couple of years chili has become our main crop. We sell it whole (in sizes ranging from 3-12 cm), as flakes and as chili powder. We offer Bird’s Eye and Cayenne chilis.
All our chilis are picked by hand and dried in our new dryer. Then they are cut to customer requirements or packed as whole fruits. It is our aim to finally pack this product within 48 hours from harvesting. Annual production in 2009 will probably reach 20.000 kg of processed product. Our main customers are in Italy and Germany.
We have also been selling fresh chilis in limited quantities, in Tanzania and abroad. If you are interested in chilis please also visit “The Chili Story” on this website.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus - almost ready for harvesting.
Hibiscus is a genus of more than 200 annual and perennial species native to the subtropical and tropical regions of the world. Most species are grown as ornamentals, others for paper and fibre making and some to make herbals teas, jams and juices.
We grow hibiscus sabdariffa, also called rosella or karkade, and process a herbal tea by drying the fruit petals after removing the seed capsules. This used to be our main crop for a number of years until large scale production in West Africa flooded the European markets. Nowadays we sell this product mainly on the local market under the “African Infusions” and “Kilimanjaro Infusions” labels. It is encouraging to see that the demand for organically produced foostuff is rising in East Africa. We offer this healthy tea in various cuts: whole, 3-5mm, and as a tea bag cut.
Besides being a very refreshing tea, hot or as an ice tea, it has a high iron content and is said to have diuretic properties and it can lower blood pressure.
Paprika
Paprika from Wami River Farm.
We grow paprika for the spice and therefore process (sorting, cutting, drying, sieving and possibly milling) all our product after harvesting.
We export relatively small quantities of high quality paprika powder in 25 kg units by sea container to Europe.
In 2004, our product was awarded an “excellent” for overall quality (colour, taste, residues etc.) by the prestigious Oekotest Institut in Germany.
Lemon Grass Tea
Harvesting Lemon Grass.
Cymbopogon (lemongrass) is a genus of more than 50 perennial grasses that grow in most subtropical and tropical regions of the world.
Lemongrass is commonly used for the production of essential oils, fresh in various Asian dishes and dried as a tea. We cut our fresh lemongras leaves into 5-10mm pieces, dry them and sell them to our customers as a delightful lemony-flavored tea.
Lemongrass contains Vitamin A and is said to help with lowering fever , relieving cough and nasal congestion and with calming nerves.
We are continuing to experiment with new crops, e.g. in 2010 we plan to export first consignments of onion powder and basil leaves and are always open to new ideas and suggestions. We will also increase our production of pulses, sorghum and rice for the local market and for export.
(More photos below)
- Jennie hand sorting organic sun-dried Bird’s Eye chilis.
- Chili harvest ready for separation.
- Separating the hibiscus seeds from the flower.
- Cut lemon grass drying in the sun.