Rwanda Twongerekawa – Women Farmed

Origin: Rwanda
Region: Gakenke District

Washing Station: Coko
Varietal: Bourbon
Altitude: 1600-2200 masl
Owner: Twongerekawa Co-Op

Harvest: March-June

Harvest: 2024/25
Processing: Fully Washed
Cupping Score: 87
Tasting Notes: Green apple, black tea, chocolate, lemon

Twongerekawa Coko – Fairtrade & Organic Green Coffee (Rwanda)

Discover the exceptional quality of Twongerekawa Coko Green Coffee, sourced exclusively from women farmers in Rwanda’s Northern Province. This Fairtrade and Organic-certified lot is cultivated by over 1,200 smallholder farmers using sustainable agricultural practices. Grown at high altitudes (1600m – 2200m) in rich volcanic soils, this 100% Bourbon Arabica coffee is meticulously processed to ensure premium quality.

Origin Details

• Origin: Rwanda
• Subregion: Northern Province, Gakenke District, Coko Sector
• Co-Op: Twongerekawa Coko
• Wet Mill: Coko
• Producer Type: Cooperative

Processing & Quality

• Process: Washed
• Drying: Sun-dried on raised African beds (14-21 days)
• Altitude: 1600m – 2200m
• Variety: Bourbon
• Species: Arabica
• Grade: RWA CA FW SC 15+
• Screen Size: 15 Up

Bag Details

• Bag Weight: 60 KG
• Bag Type: Grain Pro / Ecotact

Sustainably Sourced: 100% women-grown, Fairtrade, and Organic-certified.
High-Altitude Excellence: Grown in nutrient-rich volcanic soils, enhancing cup quality.
Meticulous Processing: Hand-sorted, floated, and washed to ensure premium beans.
Impact-Driven: Supports smallholder farmers and promotes sustainable coffee farming.

The Region
Nestled near Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, the Gakenke district offers an ideal environment for growing exceptional Arabica coffee. The region’s tropical rainfall, plentiful sunshine, and fertile volcanic soil create the perfect conditions for producing high-quality Bourbon coffee.

The Process
Ripe cherries undergo hand selection and flotation sorting before being de-pulped and dry-fermented for 12-18 hours. After fermentation, the beans are washed with high-pressure water grading channels, ensuring only the densest, highest-quality beans are selected. The coffee is then sun-dried on raised African beds for up to 21 days, with careful hand-turning and defect removal throughout.

This high-quality Rwandan green coffee is perfect for specialty roasters looking to showcase bright acidity, complex fruit notes, and a clean, well-balanced cup.

Despite its turbulent history, today Rwanda is one of the specialty coffee world’s darlings – for good reason! Our sister company in Rwanda does an amazing job of bringing the best that Rwanda has to offer to roasters around the world.

German missionaries and settlers brought coffee to Rwanda in the early 1900s. Largescale coffee production was established during the 1930 & 1940s by the Belgian colonial government. Coffee production continued after the Belgian colonists left. By 1970, coffee had become the single largest export in Rwanda and accounted for 70% of total export revenue. Coffee was considered so valuable that, beginning in 1973, it was illegal to tear coffee trees out of the ground.

Between 1989 and 1993, the breakdown of the International Coffee Agreement (ICA) caused the global price to plummet. The Rwandan government and economy took a hard hit from low global coffee prices. The 1994 genocide and its aftermath led to a complete collapse of coffee exports and vital USD revenue, but the incredible resilience of the Rwandan people is evident in the way the economy and stability have recovered since then.

Modern Rwanda is considered one of the most stable countries in the region. Since 2003, its economy has grown by 7-8% per year and coffee production has played a key role in this economic growth. Coffee has also played a role in Rwanda’s significant advancements towards gender equality. New initiatives that cater to women and focus on helping them equip themselves with the tools and knowledge for farming have been changing the way women view themselves and interact with the world around them.

Today, smallholders propel the industry in Rwanda forward. The country doesn’t have any large estates. Most coffee is grown by the 400,000+ smallholders, who own less than a quarter of a hectare. The majority of Rwanda’s coffee production is Arabica. Bourbon variety plants comprise 95% of all coffee trees cultivated in Rwanda.

Small Batch Roasting now offers a service that offers personalised coffee roasting for customers who want to enjoy freshly roasted coffee tailored to their preferences.

Roast For You Service

When you choose to have your coffee roasted for you, we will roast the exact amount ordered and roast this for you to the selected roast profile you have chosen. Our small batch roasting process ensures that your coffee is roasted with care and precision, resulting in a high-quality, freshly roasted product.

Minimum Green Weight Requirement

Please be advised that the minimum green weight for roasting any one single origin is 6kg. Any orders placed with less than 6kg of each origin will be placed on hold and may cause delays in being dispatched. We will contact you to discuss how you wish to proceed in this case.

Weight Loss During Roasting

Please be mindful of the weight loss through moisture loss during roasting, which is typically between 12-20% depending on the level of roast. The darker the roast, the higher the moisture loss. This weight loss should be taken into account when ordering your coffee to ensure you receive the desired amount of roasted coffee.

Order Processing Time

Orders for roasted coffees will naturally take a little longer to process. Please allow a minimum of 3 days for your order to arrive from the point of order. If we are able to drop your order in the roasting schedule sooner, we will always endeavor to do so.

Mixed Orders

Mixed orders which include green and roasted coffees will be dispatched together when the roasted coffees are ready. We are unable to split these orders, so please consider the slightly longer delivery times when ordering mixed coffees.

Packaging

Your coffee will be bulk packed into a 6kg bulk bag with an identifying label on only. This packaging ensures that your coffee remains fresh and protected during transit.

Roast Profile and Liability

We will roast to your desired roast profile, but are unable to take any liability for any taste discrepancies that may arise from this. We are unable to take back any coffees once they have been roasted to your desired roast profile.

Yield Estimate

Typically, a medium roast coffee at 6kg green will yield 5.1kg of freshly roasted coffee. This estimate should be taken into account when ordering your coffee to ensure you receive the desired amount of roasted coffee.