Rwanda is blessed with ideal coffee growing conditions that include high altitude, regular rain-fall, volcanic soils with good organic structure and an abundance of Bourbon. The vast majority of Rwandan coffee is produced by smallholders of which there are thought to be around half a million, with parcels of land often not much larger than just one hectare per family. On average, Rwandan smallholders own approximately 180 trees each.
We sourced this coffee through Raw Material who work alongside Muraho Trading Co. Their partnership helps affiliate co-operatives increase their quality of production, fetch higher prices for their coffee and introduce them to new markets. Situated on the shores of Lake Kivu, the drying conditions and windflow here are ideal for ensuring optimal post-pulp drying. Coffee is laid on the drying beds between 12pm and 3pm, to ensure maximum exposure to the sun during the warmest time of the day.
Operational since 2016, Rugali has become an impactful example of a successful washing station for the specialty coffee market. It is a station that has in just a few years produced coffees that have been used in competitions worldwide, and put the Nyamasheke District on the map for high-quality processed Rwandan coffees. The station is located close to its smaller sister station, Kilimbi. These two stations were the first stations in Rwanda to legally export natural and honey processed coffees.
