Burundi’s history with coffee stretches back to the early 20th century under Belgian colonial rule, when French missionaries introduced and cultivated imported Bourbon variety trees. The high altitudes and rich, volcanic soils of the Kayanza, Ngozi, and Karusi regions offered ideal conditions for this cultivar. This led the colonial administration, and later Burundi’s independent government, to mandate the cultivation of Bourbon over other varieties to standardise the nation’s exports. Today, it is still possible to trace Burundi’s heirloom trees back to those original plants.

Coffee remains a vital part of Burundi’s agriculture, with Bourbon plants grown by over 800,000 smallholder farmers. These producers typically tend to fewer than 200 trees per farm, relying on traditional sorting and processing methods to ensure high quality. Located in central Burundi, Karusi has historically been eclipsed by the output of neighbouring Kayanza and Ngozi provinces, but recently, cooperative societies have bolstered both capacity and quality in the region.

This lot is composed entirely of Bourbon variety cherries, fully-washed in Karusi before being dried. Our friends in Stellenbosch, Legado Coffee Roasters, have roasted this coffee with a light-to-medium profile.

Legado’s notes

• Tasting notes: Black grape, red apple & toffee caramel finish
• Acidity: Mild
• Body: Medium
• Roast level: Light/medium

Coffee details from Legado

“This fully washed Burundi offers a clean profile with a crisp, juicy character. Notes of black grape, with hints of berries are complemented by the sour-sweetness of red apple. Best suited as an Africano, or pour-over or AeroPress brewing, where its clarity and juiciness really shine, finishing with a lingering toffee-apple sweetness.”

• Country: Burundi
• Region: Karusi
• Variety: Bourbon
• Altitude: 1500 - 1700 masl
• Processing method: Fully-washed