Producers: A collective of female farmers in the area surrounding Nyarusiza Washing Station
Region: Kamageri Sector, Rwanda
Variety: Red Bourbon
Processing: Washed
Altitude: 1,800-2,000 masl
Tasting Notes: Stewed Apple and Brown Sugar

This coffee was produced by a collective of female farmers in the hills surrounding Nyarusiza washing station in Rwanda’s Southern Province. Owned by Buf coffee, known for their tireless contributions to the country’s specialty coffee industry, the station processes cherries from hundreds of small farms in the region. In order to distinguish and market their coffee as their own, the women banded together as a collective, delivering to the station on set days. As profits are shared equally amongst all contributing producers, this allows them to receive income transparently and directly benefit from any higher prices paid as a result of quality.

The mineral-rich volcanic soils and lush environment of the area are ideal for specialty production, with the dedicated, hands-on farming approach of the collective further improving flavour. Buf coffee then takes the utmost care during processing; the ripest cherries are mechanically pulped and dry fermented for 8-12 hours before soaking for a further 24 hours. The coffee is then dried over 10-20 days on raised African beds. Multiple sorting methods are used during the process including grading by weight and water channel, with the coffee regularly checked, rotated, and sorted by hand to remove defects. Roasted for espresso to highlight its syrupy qualities, this coffee has a bright acidity and warming stewed fruit sweetness.