Rwanda JMV Usekanabagoyi

Sold in 12oz & 2lb bag

PROCESSING STATION: Ngoma 

REGION: Bushekeri Sector, Nyamasheke District, Western Province

STATION OWNER: Baho Coffee / Emmanuel Rusatira

EXPORTER: Baho Coffee / Emmanuel Rusatira

IMPORTER: Sundog Trading

ALTITUDE of FARMS: 1600 - 1900 masl

VARIETY: Red Bourbon

PROCESS: Washed

Our connection in Rwanda is now in its fourth year and we couldn’t be more happy to be offering another coffee from the fine folks behind Sundog Trading and Baho Coffee. Ben at Sundog and Emmanuel with Baho Coffee, on the ground in Rwanda, both care deeply about traceability, sustainability, and exceptional coffees. We are thrilled to be offering this beautiful single-producer/single-farm lot, grown by JMV Usekanabagoyi. JMV and his family work diligently to float the picked coffee, selecting only the highest quality cherries and sorting out defects before delivering them to the washing station, typically within 4 hours of harvesting.

The Ngoma Washing Station, which is owned and operated by Emmanuel & Baho Coffee, sits on the shores of Lake Kivu, in Western Rwanda. Emmanuel has a solid infrastructure in place at Ngoma with an on-site agronomist who hosts local farmers for trainings focused on coffee plant care, environmental protection, and the importance of Baho’s traceability efforts. Fertilizers and coffee seedlings are often provided, free of cost, to farmers participating in these efforts. Baho also makes sizable contributions toward heath insurance premiums for all farmers delivering to Ngoma, and other Baho-run stations.

Once JMV’s coffee arrives to Ngoma Station, the cherries are depulped before undergoing a 14 hour dry fermentation. Following the fermentation, the coffee is put through another grading system which separates by density - with the highest density being reserved for selection. The seeds are dried in the shade for up to 72 hours, which allows for yet another round of quality control and sorting. The coffee is finally moved onto raised drying beds, which look down on Lake Kivu, to finish the drying process which is completed when the moisture target of 10.5-11% has been reached. 

What a treat that we get to experience the fruits of such dedicated labor. This coffee is so versatile, in our experience. We get so much sweetness out of it. Expect a prominent raisin & dried fig-like quality, accompanied beautifully by notes of various green teas, honey, sorghum syrup, and jasmine. Enjoy it while you can!