Burundi - Izuba

Izuba , meaning "sun" in Kirundi, is a coffee washing station located in Runinya, Kayanza Province, Burundi. Set beside a river and near the fertile slopes of Kibira National Park, it sources coffee from the surrounding hills of Kigeri, Ryamukona, and Mugoyi. Managed by Ntama Appolinaire and RM Burundi's Prosper Merrimee, the station employs 2 permanent staff and around 250 seasonal workers from the local community. Izuba works with over 1,400 smallholder farmers, carefully recording coffee deliveries by producer and hillside to highlight the unique characteristics of each area. The station is committed to supporting its community through fair and timely payments, offering higher wages than local averages and providing quality-based premiums to producers. Coffee is processed using meticulous washed and natural methods, with extensive sorting to minimise defects and ensure exceptional quality. Sustainability is also central to Izuba's approach, with coffee pulp composted into organic fertiliser and returned to local farmers to enrich their soils. Process: Washed Varietal: Red Bourbon Altitude : 1500 - 1700 Meters above sea level Tasting Notes: RIPE CHERRY | BLACK TEA | MOLASSES Best For: Aeropress, V60, French Press