Burundi Rubirizi

Whole bean coffee

Origin: Burundi

Region: Kayanza

Washing Station: Bukeye

Producers: Long Miles Coffee Project and multiple growers on Rubirizi Hill

Elevation: 1750 masl

Process: Washed, dried on raised beds

Variety: Red Bourbon

Tasting notes: Raisin, caramel, orange

We’ve been working with the Long Miles Coffee Project since the inception of Carrier in 2015. They were as hungry and scrappy as we were, evidenced by the fact that they entertained the idea of a direct trade relationship between a landlocked and logistically challenging country and a company that could only purchase one 132 lb bag.

We’ve both grown since then, and we’d wager that the growth of Long Miles has been exponential compared to ours. They’ve been doing incredible work building connections between smallholding farmers in Burundi and specialty roasters all over the world, generating excitement and demand for high quality Burundi coffee.

This year’s offering was grown by farmers on Rubirizi Hill, and processed at the Bukeye washing station. Coffee cherries are hand-picked at peak ripeness and delivered to Bukeye, where they are de-pulped and fermented in sealed tanks for 36-72 hours. After fermentation the coffee is washed and sorted for density, then dried on raised beds while being continuously turned and sorted by hand to ensure even drying and to prevent defects.

The result is a coffee with exceptional clarity and vibrant acidity. We taste notes of raisin, caramel, and orange. Availability of this lot is very limited and it’s unlikely to hang around for long.

Transparency

This is our tenth year buying from Long Miles Coffee Project in Burundi. We scored this lot 87.25 points and purchased 1 60kg bags for $8.15/lb FOT.

Photo credit: Long Miles Coffee Project