There is historical evidence that Napoleon Bonaparte was fond of coffee in general. He drank it regularly, especially during his military campaigns. He liked it strong, without sugar, and was said to have found it stimulating.

The island of Santa Elena and its varietal

Saint Helena Island is a small, remote volcanic island located in the South Atlantic Ocean. It was discovered on May 12, 1502, by Portuguese Admiral João da Nova, who landed in present-day Jamestown and built a chapel there. For more than 80 years, the Portuguese kept its location a secret, strategically using it as a supply point for their voyages between Europe and Asia, especially for repairing their ships from the East Indies.

Napoleon likely consumed coffee during his exile on the island at Longwood House (1815–1821), as he lived with certain comforts provided by the British and may well have had access to local coffee. Although it is unknown whether Saint Helena coffee was his favorite, local lore and some modern promotional sources have used his image to highlight the history of the island's coffee.

This coffee is processed by washing, thanks to the island's abundant springs. The drying process is very long due to the high humidity in this Atlantic location; it takes about four months to dry, unlike the four or five days it takes in other producing countries. Flowering takes place from December to April, and harvesting takes place between October and February.

In terms of the cup profile, it stands out for its bright acidity, good balance and body, a magnificent bouquet without overpowering flavors, pleasant fruity and floral notes, especially citrus, and a caramel finish. It's a profile strongly reminiscent of its Yemeni origins.

A little history

Saint Helena ceased to be a Portuguese dominion in 1588, when the English explorer Thomas Cavendish stopped there during his circumnavigation of the world. From then on, the island began to receive frequent visits from English and Dutch ships. In 1633, the Dutch attempted to annex it, prompting the English East India Company to establish a permanent presence there in 1659 and fortify the island.

The island's administration remained in the hands of the East India Company until 1834, when it passed under the direct control of the British Crown. One of the most famous episodes in its history occurred in 1815, when Napoleon Bonaparte, following his final defeat, was exiled to Saint Helena by the British. He lived in Longwood House, an isolated residence in the interior of the island, where he died on May 5, 1821.

Today, Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory with a population of around 5,000 people, mostly of English, African, and Chinese origin. Its geographic isolation makes it one of the most remote places on the planet. Cape Town, South Africa, is the nearest mainland port, 2,720 km to the southeast.

Until recently, St. Helena had no airport and was only accessible by sea, via the Royal Mail Ship St. Helena, operated by Curnow Shipping Ltd. from Falmouth, Cornwall. This isolation has preserved its unique history, culture, and ecosystem.

In 1733, the East India Company introduced Green Tipped Bourbon Arabica coffee beans to Saint Helena, brought from Mocha, Yemen, by Captain Philips aboard the ship Houghton. This bean, known as Green Tipped Bourbon Arabica, is rare and delicate, requiring careful processing from harvesting to roasting.

Over the past decade, Santa Elena coffee has gained worldwide recognition for its unique quality, captivating connoisseurs with its subtle and unique flavor.