Rwanda is a landlocked country in East Africa, where coffee is mainly grown by smallholder farmers at relatively high elevations. This coffee comes from Nyabumera Washing Station in the Mahembe sector of Nyamasheke District, in the Western Province. The station works with around 1,200 smallholder farmers from the surrounding hills, collecting cherries through a network of 20 collection points. Some farmers even bring their coffee to the station on foot. The coffee is mainly Red Bourbon, one of the traditional varieties widely grown across Rwanda.

This lot was processed using the traditional natural method. The process gives it a very round texture that reminds me of dark berry jam. I especially recommend this coffee as an espresso, where its full body and rounded texture really bring out its creamy character.