February 2024 - Guided Journey, Coffee of the Month

This medium-light roast is known for its unique flavor profile and is grown in the Rutsiro District in Rwanda, Africa. The Rwanda coffee is produced at a washing station and run by the Coocamu Cooperative, which is made up of 396 smallholder farmers who have banded together to create a more efficient and sustainable way of producing coffee. 

One of the key aspects of the Rwanda coffee roast is its bright acidity. This is due to the coffee beans being grown at high altitudes of between 1600-2000 MASI, where the cooler temperatures allow the coffee cherries to develop more slowly, resulting in a more complex flavor profile. The coffee is made from the Red Bourbon varietal, which is known for its fruity flavor notes. In particular, the Rwanda coffee has a kumquat and sage flavor profile, with a sweet finish.

The Coocamu Cooperative takes great care in the processing of the Rwanda coffee roast. After the coffee cherries are harvested by the small family-owned farms, they are hand-sorted to remove any damaged or underdeveloped cherries. They are then de-pulped and fermented for 18 hours. Once the fermentation is complete, the parchment is soaked in fresh water for 18-24 hours in order to halt the fermentation process and to stabilize the moisture content of the batch. The parchment is washed again in grading channels, allowing the parchment to naturally separate by density. Each separate density grade is then moved to pre-drying tables to be hand-sorted for imperfections and gently dried to the touch. After the hand-sort is complete, the parchment is moved to fully exposed drying tables to finish drying, which takes between 14-21 days depending on the climate.

Overall, the Rwanda coffee roast is a unique and flavorful option for coffee lovers looking to expand their palate. The Coocamu Cooperative's dedication to sustainable farming practices and careful processing ensures that each cup of Rwanda coffee is of the highest quality. So, if you're looking for a new coffee adventure, consider trying the Rwanda roast!