Olame

Impressions: red currant, stone fruit, floral, caramel
Roast degree: light (2/5)
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Location: Idjwi Island, Rubenga Chiefdom, South Kivu Province
Variety: Bourbon
Process: Washed
Farmer: OLAME Agricultural Cooperative
Farm: Smallholder producers, Idjwi Island
Import partner: Optimist Coffee Traders

It's been a while since we release a coffee from an origin we never had before, so we are thrilled to introduce our first ever coffees from the Congo!
(Psst! 👉🏼 Check out the Coacki Lot as well!)

The OLAME Coop was created in 2019 with a clear goal: revive coffee production on the island of Idjwi. What started as a modest project saw the output being produced tripled since it's inception. OLAME makes life easier for farmers to get access to credit and washing facilities.

We partnered with Jim Ngokwey of with Optimist Coffee Traders for our first Congolese lots. Optimist focuses on sourcing coffees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and across Africa, working closely with producers and cooperatives at origin. The team behind Optimist helped shape one of the first U.S. importers dedicated to Congolese coffee, and brings that experience into how they build relationships and move coffee today.

Their approach is simple: keep quality high, keep connections direct, and make sure producers are part of the value being created. It’s about building something more balanced across the supply chain, from farm to roaster.

The situation in the country, including in coffee producing regions, has been difficult and very volatile in recent years. Rwanda militias sponsored by imperial forces are controlling most of the coffee producing regions. People need permission to travel across the region while also being monitored heavily, limiting free speech and advocacy. Despite all the hardships, and increased risks and cost of production, producers keep building on and improving every year.

By buying this coffee or Coacki, you can truly measure your impact in those communities. With every bag purchased, $5 goes to Team Congo RDC to fund vital education and community growth. If you’d like to do even more, feel free to contribute to their mission directly.