Burundi Gitega Gaterama – washed

The first coffee plantations in Burundi were established by the Belgians in the 1930s. Today, more than 800,000 families grow coffee. Around 25 million coffee trees grow throughout the country, mostly arabica (96% of crops). Bourbon is the predominant variety. The total area of plantations exceeds 60,000 hectares, but farms are highly fragmented—the average farmer owns just 50–250 trees. The beans are therefore handpicked, and no pesticides are used in production. Coffee is grown mainly at elevations of 1,250–2,000 meters above sea level.

Coffee from Burundi is fairly hard to come by; the country ranks 31st among the world’s coffee-producing countries, accounting for just 0.5% of global production. This coffee is processed using the fully washed method, which gives it an exceptionally clean, pronounced flavor. Tasting notes include tropical fruit, black currant, and milk chocolate.

Sensory score: 84 SCA

Region: Gitega, Gaterama station

Variety: bourbon, catimor