Previously, Rosetta’s Rwandan coffees were a rare treat, but much to our delight, our roasting partners are offering a new harvest from the Gitesi Washing Station. Located in the Karongi District’s mountainous terrain, Gitesi is a private washing station owned and run by father-and-son duo Alexis and Aimé Gahizi. Established in 2005, the station began processing coffee within its first year. After initially struggling to maintain operations, the pair worked hard to turn a profit in 2010. Since then, the Gahizis have built Gitesi into a sustainable company with the goal of empowering Karongi and its people. One way they achieve this is through a pilot program introducing farmers to broader cultivation practices, providing income outside the coffee season.

Today, the station’s facilities are kept impressively clean and well-organised, thanks to the consistent dedication of its management team, efforts that helped Gitesi take the top spot in Rwanda’s Cup of Excellence. Certified by both C.A.F.E. Practices and the Rainforest Alliance, Gitesi utilises a modern wastewater management system and produces its own organic fertiliser from discarded coffee pulp.

This release is another opportunity to taste the Red Bourbon variety grown and processed at Gitesi. Read Rosetta’s notes below to find out more about this washed coffee’s light roast profile and Gitesi’s community initiatives.

Phaedon's tasting notes

This was an interesting and unexpected sampling experience for me. This coffee doesn't taste much like what I expect of high-quality Rwandan Red Bourbons, nor of Gitesi lots from Rosetta specifically, but it was no less enjoyable for its uniqueness. I think what stood out for me was the rich sweetness that I likened to molasses in my notes. The fruity flavours I found weren't sharp or acidic, but rather mellow and luxuriously sweet, a bit more like stewed fruit than fresh fruit.

I actually found my very best brews of this coffee were in my trusty Moka pot and in my Yama siphon rather than my newer brewers. Something about both those (very different) cups brought out the best in this coffee. In the siphon specifically, a creamy texture created a tasting experience that reminded me a little of rum raisin ice cream.

Rosetta’s notes

Style: Classic
Flavour: Red currant, preserved fruit, maple sweetness

“The Red Bourbon variety provides an elegant foundation which, in combination with a carefully executed washed process, produces a cup that is remarkably clean, sweet, and bright.

“To highlight these characteristics, we begin with a moderate charge temperature and maintain a balanced roast profile that preserves the coffee’s vibrant acidity and red fruit character. We then extend development just enough to round out the sweetness, enhancing body and integration without compromising clarity. The result is a lively cup with a lingering maple sweetness that carries effortlessly from filter to espresso.”

Coffee details

“Gitesi Washing Station is situated in Rwanda’s Western Province and has become one of the country’s most respected coffee producers. Founded in 2005 by Alexis Gahizi and his son, Aimé, Gitesi spent its early years navigating significant challenges before reaching profitability and long-term sustainability in 2010. Today, it works alongside more than 1800 smallholder farming families, many of whom have supplied cherries to Gitesi for years.

“Quality begins long before harvest with farmers selectively hand-picking ripe cherries, while the team at Gitesi follows rigorous sorting and processing protocols. Beyond coffee production, the washing station is deeply invested in strengthening the local farming community. Thousands of coffee seedlings are raised in their nursery each year and distributed free of charge, helping growers renew and expand their farms. Alongside farmer training, wastewater management innovations and sustainability initiatives, these efforts have established Gitesi as a model for responsible coffee production — one where exceptional coffees are produced through lasting partnerships with the people who cultivate them.”

• Altitude: 1,750–1,800m ASL
• Processing: Washed
• Variety: Red Bourbon
• Harvest: 2025
• Region: Gitesi, Karongi District
• Country: Rwanda
• Producer: Alexis and Aimé Gahizi of Gitesi Washing Station