Outstandingly sweet and zesty with sparkling citrus flavours that combine with deep chocolate notes for an intriguing finish. A wonderfully bright coffee that really captures the spirit of Africa and this nation in a cup.
Although Rwanda has grown coffee commercially for many years, it has never before produced beans of gourmet quality. The Abahuzamugambi Bakawa Co-operative's produce is exemplary and is harvested from a rare coffee tree variety, the Arabica Bourbon, which is seldom commercially grown today. The trees produce a lower yield crop compared to many of the modern varieties, but the taste is wonderfully smooth with a sweet fruity nature and rich full body.
We have worked closely with the United States Agency for International Development to develop a sustainable commercial partnership with the Co-operative to bring its people’s coffee to an international market under Fairtrade certification. The coffee was first launched in February 2003 as part of the Red Nose Day campaign. Since then, Rwanda Maraba Bourbon has helped to fundamentally change the local district – with a medical centre, school, bank and even hairdresser’s – creating a real sense of community where once there was only despair.
We continue to offer long-term support to the Co-operative at Maraba so that a sustained income can be generated by the farmers. We have in place a minimum purchasing commitment to provide Co-operative members with the security they need to invest in their land and locality. We also provide forward financing, which means the Co-operative is paid upfront for the next harvest - allowing essential supplies which directly affect coffee quality to be purchased. And at a lower, but no less important, level, we have made many visits to meet smallholders and undertake needs assessments. From these, we have put in place many initiatives to improve working conditions – such as protective gloves to protect the hands of the women who work on the drying tables.
As a result of our combined efforts, running water can now be found in many areas, schools, medical facilities, banks and other ancilliary shops and services have opened. Much progress has been made at the Co-operative too: two trucks to deliver coffee cherries to washing stations have been purchased; installation of groundwater treatment facilities, and construction of two further washing stations to increase capacity and income.