Local ingredients

The roças have been an integral part of São Tomé’s history for over 150 years. Recently, the novel “Equator” by Portuguese author Miguel Sousa Tavares has brought them back into the spotlight, even though many of them are now inactive. In 1819, the Portuguese brought the original cacao plant from Bahia to São Tomé. Cacao adapted so well to these islands that by the end of the 19th century, São Tomé and Príncipe had become the world’s largest producer of cacao. At the height of this period, more than 70 roças were in continuous operation, employing thousands of slave laborers.

Intense Coffee with Lemon Flavors and Floral Aromas

Coffee from São Tomé and Príncipe is one of the most sensational beverages imaginable for those who drink it. Coffee was introduced to the islands in 1787, with the colonization of São Tomé and Príncipe, at a time when no more than 7,054 Creole natives lived on the islands. Coffee was introduced from Brazil (two varieties were brought in: Arabica, grown in mid-altitude regions, and Liberica, grown in the southern half of the island and in other areas to the east). Currently, the French company Malongo, in partnership with smallholder farmers in the Monte Café region, has ushered in a new era for coffee cultivation aimed at production and export; the company has successfully marketed tons of the product on the French market. São Tomé coffee is considered one of the best coffees in the world, with intense flavor and aromas—believe me, it’s worth trying. If you’re looking for excellent coffee and want to learn more about it, go with São Tomé and Príncipe.