Tasting notes

 - Black tea, toffee & blood orange

Brewing

We suggest using this coffee for filter brew methods, such as a pourover, aeropress, chemex or batch brew (or similar). It's roasted a bit lighter to accentuate the delicious fruitiness and acidity that we love.

Origin Information

Country : Rwanda

Province : Northern Province

District : Gakenke District

Sector : Ruli Sector

Washing Station : Ruli

Elevation : 1920 MASL

Variety : Red Bourbon

Processing : Washed

Farmers: 70 female cooperative members

Washing Station Owner : Dukunde Kawa Cooperativ

Growth Story

This special microlot was produced by 70 female farmers who own and grow coffee on small farms in the hills surrounding Ruli washing station, located in the Ruli Sector of Gakenke District, in Rwanda’s rugged and mountainous Northern Province. The women are members of the Dukunde Kawa Cooperative, who own and manage Ruli washing station, along with two other nearby washing stations.

Many of the women who contributed to this lot are also members of Rambagirakawa, a women’s alliance within Dukunde Kawa that was formed to advocate for support and resources for female coffee producers. Through collaboration with both Rambagirakawa and international buyers, Dukunde Kawa has assisted the women in processing and marketing their coffees as a separated ‘Women’s Coffee’ lot, which earns them an additional bonus payment on top of the quality premium all Dukunde Kawa members receive.

To distinguish their coffee and ensure it is processed separately, the women have organised to deliver cherry to the washing station on certain days of the week. While this lot was processed at Mbilima washing station, members of Rambagirakawa may also deliver to its sister washing stations, Ruli and Nkara, depending on their location.

Many of the founding members of Rambagirakawa were widowed by the 1994 genocide and relied upon each other for farming and financial advice. The group is now open to all of the female members of Dukunde Kawa and has grown to 304 members. Some 70 women contributed to this lot. Besides selling their coffees as separated lots, members have wholeheartedly pursued additional income opportunities, like basket weaving and embroidery, to develop greater independence both economically and socially. The result is an empowered and ambitious alliance of women, whose ever-expanding activities focus on creating opportunity and success for the women and children in their community.