Roaster’s Report - Rwanda Kanzu

Source: Red Fox

Country: Rwanda

Growing region: Nyamasheke

Elevation: 1800-2100 masl

Coffee varietal: Bourbon

Processing: Washed - Dried 16-18 hours followed by soaking for 18 hours

Flavors remind us of: Honey, fudge, and grape jam

Coffee description: Kanzu washing station is located in the Nyamasheke district of Rwanda’s Western province. When the views are clear from the top of the ridge above the washing stations you can see all the way down to Lake Kivu to the west, which stretches the length of Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kanzu is a jewel of a place — organized and well-run, set against green hills of coffee, cassava, sweet potato, sugar cane, bananas, and beans at 1900 masl. Kanzu employs 50 local men and women during the harvest season. From start to finish, harvest in Rwanda runs about 4-5 months from March to July. Lots are separated by each outturn throughout the season.

After arriving at the washing station, cherry is floated and pulped, using a McKinnon disc pulper. The coffee in parchment then undergoes a dry fermentation for 16-18 hours before the remaining mucilage is washed off, followed by soaking. This typically takes up to 18 hours before the coffee is dried on raised beds with a mesh bottom, allowing for air circulation. The wastewater from the processing is treated with Effective microorganisms (EMTechnologiesTM) to secure the local water resources for the nearby community.

Green coffee transparency: 396lbs @ $5.00/lb, Feb. 2023 (Commodity coffee price: $1.76/lb. Why is this important? Coffee pricing is complex and multifaceted, and sharing what we paid is an incomplete picture, but we believe in sharing the data we have available, hoping that will embolden others to do the same, with the ultimate goal of getting producers fairer pay for their excellent work.)

If you want to learn more about how we would brew this coffee, click here for our brew guides.