Rwanda has become one of the most stable countries on the African continent in the years following the devastating 1994 genocide. The Rwandan economy has seen an average annual growth of 7%-8% since 2003, which reflects the nation’s ongoing commitment to regeneration and progress. This growth is owed in part to Rwanda’s coffee sector, which is strongly supported by the Rwandan government, international investment, and effective trade rules focused on exporting.

Like most Rwandan coffee, this lot is of the famed Red Bourbon variety. Red Bourbon is especially well-suited to the high altitudes of Rwanda’s mountainous regions, and one can often expect it to offer plenty of jammy fruit notes and a bright acidity in the cup. It is also a washed coffee, meaning that the skin and fruit was removed entirely prior to the drying stage of processing. The upshot is that the fruit notes typically associated with Red Bourbon and Rwandan coffee may not be as bold or sweet as in a natural coffee, but will come through with greater clarity in the cup. 

This particular coffee, roasted by our friends at Origin Coffee Roasting, was sourced exclusively from women producers who own and operate small 4ha farms around Kamonyi and supply the local Mbizi washing station, owned by Gihana Coffee Company. Gihana was founded in 2020 by Nkunzima Jean de Dia and Ngabonziza Audace, who wanted to give back to their country and its communities in the form of well-paying jobs for rural farmers. Gihana built the wet mills and warehouses that its partnered farmers utilise in production, and continues to support them by providing training and educational material, as well as access to global markets for their coffee. 

Origin’s notes

• Flavour: Black tea, sparkling wine, berry, apricot, dark chocolate
• Body: Medium, velvety
• Roast: Light-Medium
• Acidity: Cranberry juice
• Suggested brewing methods: 

Coffee details from Origin

• Country: Rwanda
• District: Kamonyi
• Farmers: Numerous smallholder farmers from the Kamonyi district
• Wet mill: Mbizi washing station, owned by Gohanga Coffee Company
• Altitude: 2200 masl
• Variety: Red Bourbon
• Processing: Washed