Rwamatamu | Rwanda | Espresso
- Information
- Transparency
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Apricot & Raisin
Harvest: June 2024
Country: Rwanda
Producer: Rwamatamu washing station
Region: Karongi, Western Province
Process: Washed
Variety: Bourbon
Altitude: 1,600-2,000 maslRwamatamu Coffee is a family-owned coffee plantation and washing station in the Western Province of Rwanda. Rwamatamu was founded in 2015 by husband and wife Rutaganda Gaston and Mukantwaza Laetitia, in order to provide for their family and combat the poverty they saw in their local communities. The venture was an immediate success, and as the farm grew in size and profit, so did their passion for growing incredible coffee.
Rutaganda Gaston realised many years ago that sustaining a business relies on good relationships. These days, the whole Rwamatamu Valley community adores and supports him, because all his transactions embody mutual respect, and a fierce passion. This passion is something Gaston has passed on to his daughter, Marie Bernice, who has supported her family’s work by translating negotiations, creating educational materials, and managing marketing. On top of all this, she moved to the UK to earn a degree in project management that has given her even more insight into the industry. The cornerstone of Rwamatamu is family working together so it's no surprise that Bernice and her husband Luke will be taking over operations when Gaston and Laetitia eventually retire.
This is the first year we’ve bought from Rwamatamu and it’s an exciting new project for us! As well as being the producer of this coffee, Rwamatamu is also the exporter. This will eventually allows us to buy and negotiate prices directly with Rwamatamu, something that has not been possible for the other coffees we buy from this country. We were honoured to meet Bernice over Skype last year and we’re excited about the future!
This coffee has been roasted for espresso and you can expect a full and balanced cup with notes of apricot and raisin. -
Price we paid: €11.7/Kg
FOB:
Weight Purchased: 540 Kg
Relationship: 1 year
Importer: Omwani Coffee Company
Cup Score: 86.5
Rwamatamu is a family run washing station, owned by Rutaganda Gaston and Mukantwaza Laetitia. They buy cherries from multiple producers in the Karongi region and process it at the washing station. Milling is organised by Rwamatamu before the coffee is sold to the importer Omwani. Omwani is responsible for shipping the coffee to their warehouse in Belfast and arranges the onward transport to our roastery.
