We Nitrogen Flush all of our coffee when bagging for an inert shelf stable environment by locking freshness inside for up to 6 weeks prior to opening
 
Region: Huye, Southern Province
Varietals: Red Bourbon
Process: Washed
Altitude: 1,800 masl
 
It is very rare to be able to get a coffee that is traceable back to a single farm in Rwanda, so we feel extremely fortunate to be able to share this very special microlot from producer Philippe Sinayobye. Still in his thirties, Philippe represents the future of specialty coffee production in Rwanda.
Philippe’s farm sits at 1,800 meters above sea level in the lush, green hills of Rwanda’s Southern Province. The farm is managed by Philippe with the help of his wife, Angelique Muhayimana, and a number of seasonal workers who are employed during the coffee harvest. In total, the farm produces around 6,000kg of cherry each year. Philippe’s coffee is processed at the nearby Kabuye washing station.
 
Most of the coffees we source from Rwanda are traceable back to a washing station, or sometimes a farmer group. Typically, washing stations in Rwanda receive cherry from hundreds (and sometimes thousands) of farmers who own very small plots of land – on average less than a quarter hectare, with just 300-600 coffee trees. Separation of such tiny lots is expensive and impractical, so the large majority of coffees are processed as a mixed lot from multiple producers. Lots are separated as day lots (ie. cherries that were all picked on the same day) rather than by a single farm or producer group.
Single producer microlots like this one are not common. In this case, it is made possible due to the size of Philippe’s farm, which totals just under one hectare and includes some 1,700 coffee trees (making it over double the average size farm for the region). Philippe is also a member of the Abahuzamugambi Ba Kawa Maraba cooperative (or Maraba), who operate their own dry mill where they can process smaller lots individually, whilst minimising cost and maintaining excellent quality standards. His farm has been recognised by the cooperative as having particularly favourable conditions for coffee production, including a good amount of shade, and Philippe’s use of organic fertiliser. By processing his lot separately, Maraba can showcase regional distinction and service their buyers more successfully; for Philippe, the reward is in selling his whole crop, and building a name and market for his coffee internationally.
ABOUT MARABA KABUYE WASHING STATION
Kabuye is the second of four washing stations owned by the Abahuzamugambi Ba Kawa Maraba Cooperative. Established in 2005, is located in the Maraba Sector of Huye District, in Rwanda’s Southern Province, sitting at an elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level, in rugged, mountainous terrain. Kabuye services around 597 members of the cooperative, who farm coffee locally.
The area around Kabuye washing station has ideal growing conditions for high-quality coffee, with high elevations, good rainfall and steady temperatures year-round. The farms that deliver to Kabuye are situated between 1,700-2,200 meters above sea level. Day to day operations are overseen by the station manager, Christian Ruzigama, while Christine Ilibagiza serves as head of QC. A total of five permanent staff and 95 seasonal workers are employed by the washing station – most of whom are women. The cooperative has recently upgraded its cherry sorting equipment and installed water treatment facilities at each of their washing stations.