Our Rwanda Musasa washed Scr 15+Organic is a premium coffee that is sourced from the Western Province of Rwanda, specifically from the Rutsiro and Rusizi towns. This coffee is grown at an altitude of 1526 masl and is made from the Bourbon varietal. It is certified organic, ensuring that it is produced in an environmentally sustainable manner. The coffee is harvested between March and June and undergoes a fully washed processing method. With a cupping score of 85.5, this coffee boasts a unique flavor profile, including tasting notes of hibiscus, berry, dark chocolate, and lemon.
Rwanda Musasa washed Scr 15+Organic
Origin: Rwanda
Region: Western Province
Town: Rutsiro, Rusizi
Washing Station: Musasa Washing Station
Varietal: Bourbon
Altitude: 1526 masl
Cetification: OrganicHarvest: March-June
Processing: Fully Washed
Cupping Score: 85.5
Tasting Notes: Hibiscus Berry Dark Chocolate LemonMusasa washing station lies at 1,526 meters above sea level in the high-altitude hills of the Congo Nile Trail - practically on the banks of Lake Kivu. The Trail features 227 km (141 miles) of beautiful landscapes, including rolling hills and clear water. The washing station began operations in 2013 and since then has gone from strength to strength, including a Cup of Excellence win in 2011.
Cultivation
1,750 growers deliver to Musasa and around 23% are under the age of 35. Musasa sees these young growers, the youngest of whom is only 20, as the future of Rwandan coffee.
Although farm sizes are small - only around 0.18 hectares on average - farmers receive regular training in organic composting, renovation, harvesting techniques and other agricultural practices that ensure optimal growth for their small farms. The utmost care is taken with quality from the very beginning.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
All farmers delivering to Musasa station live within a 15-kilometer radius. After selectively handpicking their coffee, they transport cherry to the washing station using a variety of means. Cherry is then inspected and hand-sorted to remove any damaged or underripes before they are weighed and loaded into the station’s pulper. Farmers receive a payment in line with the quality and quantity delivered.
Musasa uses a Pinhalense eco-pulper, which separates ripe and underripe/underweight cherries again, along with removing any debris remaining with the cherry. This pulper uses one cubic meter of water to process up to 20 tons, significantly reducing the environmental footprint of the washing station.
After pulping, coffee is delivered to the fermentation tanks to ferment for around 24 hours. After this, the coffee is thoroughly washed in clean water and all traces of mucilage are removed from the beans.
After washing, coffee is delivered to one of the washing station’s 300 drying tables. Once here, the parchment will be turned every 30 minutes and covered during the hottest part of the day. Drying usually takes between 1 and 2 months, though the time required varies depending on the climate at the time.
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.