This Rwanda Huye Kogimuwaka coffee is a delicious representation of the region's specialty coffee. It originates from the Southern Province, specifically the town of Huye, and is meticulously grown and harvested by over 1,160 members organized in 24 farmer groups in the Utamagro Tani Gayo Cooperative. The beans are of the Bourbon varietal and are of a Scr 15+ grade, grown at an altitude of 1600 masl. Certified by Farmer Connect, this coffee is harvested from March to June and undergoes a meticulous fully washed processing method, resulting in a bright cup with a rich, complex flavor profile. With tasting notes that include floral and citrus undertones, this Rwanda Huye Kogimuwaka coffee is a must-try for any coffee enthusiast.
Rwanda Huye Kogimuwaka - Bourbon
Origin: Rwanda
Region: Southern Province
Town: Huye
Co-Op / Washing Station: Kogimuwaka Cooperative
Varietal: Bourbon
Grade: Scr 15+
Altitude: 1600 masl
Cetification: Farmer Connect
Harvest: March - June
Processing: Fully Washed
Tasting Notes: Bright cup, lime chocolate, lemongrass & biscuit
Kogimuwaka Cooperative has partnered with Farmer Connect to bring a fully traceable coffee that bridges the gap between smallholder producers and roasters. Every bag is traceable to the farmers who contributed to the lot.
Koperative Giringufu Muhinzi Wa Kawa (Kogimuwaka Cooperative) is named for the Kinyarwanda phrase meaning "be strong coffee farmer cooperative.” Based in the Southern District of Huye, the group was created in 2004 and later became officially recognized as a cooperative by local authorities in 2007.
Today, Kogimuwaka has over 400 members who all grow and harvest Arabica coffee in the region surrounding the cooperative’s washing station. On average the station processes about 700 MT of cherry per year.
In an effort to reduce the number of intermediaries between Rwandan coffee smallholders and the international market, Kogimuwaka is partnering with the blockchain platform Farmer Connect. Now, their lots are fully traceable from farmer to final destination. In addition to the lot traceability, members of the cooperative participated in an anonymized survey which gives a more comprehensive view of their farming practices, as well as their socio-economic situation.
The survey found that 67% of farming families delivering coffee to Kogimuwaka depend mainly on coffee farming for family income. The average revenue per family per year was about $130 USD. 80% of households own livestock.
Cultivation
Farmers have an average of 223 trees with a yield of about 1.4 kilograms per tree. Farms sit around 1,600 meters above sea level. 91% of farmers use fertilizers on their coffee trees while 85.2% use regular pruning. Of the farms that use fertilizer, 41% use animal manure, 55% use chemical fertilizers and 1% use organic compost. Only 4% of farms have irrigation systems installed on their plots.
94% of farmers cultivate other crops in addition to coffee with sweet potatoes, maize, beans and cassava being the most common types.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
Farmers and their families selectively handpick ripe, red cherry and deliver it to Kogimuwaka’s washing station. At intake, specially trained staff float cherry to remove underripes and then visually inspect cherry and remove any defects. Cherry is pulped and fermented in tanks. Following fermentation, parchment is washed in clean water and laid on raised beds to dry. Workers rake parchment frequently to ensure even drying and visually inspect parchment to remove any damaged beans. It takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks for parchment to dry.
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: Roast For You Service - Terms & Conditions
Introduction
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. This article will discuss the Roast For You Service, its terms and conditions, and provide essential information for customers to make informed decisions when ordering.
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.