Rwanda "Sholi"

Description

This washed Bourbon varietal fair trade organic coffee was cultivated above 6,000 feet in the mountains of Muhanga District in the Southern Province of Rwanda. Intensely sweet and juicy with a round body, this coffee features notes of peach, candied lime and vanilla that are highlighted by our delicate light roast. Subtle aromas of orange blossom and toasted coconut further enhance this complex and well-balanced coffee.

The fair trade producer cooperative is Abateraninkunga ba Sholi, meaning "Mutual Assistance" in Kinyarwanda, which is the dominant native language in Rwanda and parts of neighboring countries. Established in 2008, Sholi developed out of a small women's farming association and has grown into a robust coffee cooperative known for its premium quality. Today, female empowerment is still embedded in the cooperative's foundation with nearly half of Sholi's members being women, including two of the five board members.

In 2016, Sholi received a grant to build both a community center and a regional health center to serve members and residents. They offer health insurance and a loan system so that their members can obtain health care and pay school fees for their children. Additionally, they compost the organic waste from coffee processing to create new organic fertilizer and provide education on environmental preservation and sustainable farming.