GUEST ESPRESSO - BURUNDI

Shop Now

REGION: Ryamukona, Izuba, Runinya, Kayanza Province

PROCESS: Washed

VARIETIES: Red Bourbon

ALTITUDE: 1500 - 1700 MASL

SCREEN SIZE: 15+

NOTES: Raspberry, Elderflower, Nutmeg

Say hello to our new Guest Espresso, Ryamukona from the Izuba washing station in Burundi. A washed red bourbon banger, sourced in partnership with Raw Material for maximum impact, we're getting tart raspberry, elderflower and a hint of nutmeg. A glorious double shot of Spring, with a tantalising hint of Summer sun.

In fact Izuba means 'sun' in Kirundi. The station aims to provide premiums where possible to not only the farmers but also the station staff. In 2020, the employees were paid 25% higher than other local washing stations and 33% more than the national average salary.

Our Guest Espresso aims to be a little brighter and a touch bolder than our House Espresso. This Burundi has been specially roasted for those who enjoy espresso without milk. Also great as a punchy filter coffee, we can't wait for you to explore our latest offering.

Raw Material believe the choices of the specialty coffee industry have an outsized ability to influence positive outcomes for producers and the wider environment. Where and how they work is guided by where they can have the most impact. Read on below for more about their work.

FROM OUR IMPORTERS - RAW MATERIAL

Context

Izuba meaning “sun” in Kirundi, is located in Runinya, Kabarore Commune, of Kayanza Province. The Izuba washing station is set close to a nearby river, providing a vital and regular freshwater source for coffee processing. The station is managed by Ntama Appolinaire, who works alongside Prosper Merrimee, the operational manager of RM Burundi. Izuba employs 2 full-time staff and around 250 seasonal workers, who are all local to the station. Izuba is situated near to the Kibira national park, where the soil and climate are paired well for fantastic coffee production.

Kigeri, Ryamukona, and Mugoyi …
are the three hills (collines) surrounding Izuba and the three areas in which coffee is collected or delivered from. Each volume of cherry sold to Izuba is recorded by producer and hillside, showing the minute variances in profile from locations surrounding the washing station. In 2020 we bought coffee from 1482 producers, 1169 of which were male and 313 female (around 26%). We processed 453,000kg of cherry, the max capacity of the station is 800,000kg. 

Payment

The station aims to provide premiums where possible to not only the farmers but the station staff also. The employees were paid 25% higher than other local washing stations and 33% more than the national average salary. Producers are paid government-set prices for coffee cherries, in 2020 these were:

Cherry A (ripe) 550 BIF/kg

Cherry B (underripe, floaters etc) 275 BIF/KG

Producers are paid for cherry on two set payment dates in the year, which are also set by the government. The first is usually in April, very early in the harvest, and the second at the end of the harvest. Farmers essentially choose which station they will sell to that year through the first payment then deliver there for the whole season. At the end of the season third payments are made based on the quality and final sale price of the coffee. Making these three payments on time is a key concern for producers and one of Izuba's primary goals in supporting producers.

Processing

Izuba currently produces washed coffees and is actively developing both honey and natural processed lots, which will become larger in volume this year. Washed coffees are fermented for around 12 hours and dried for an average of 20 days. Naturals take around 30 days of drying time. Potato defect is tackled firstly through very thorough floating of cherries and then primarily by extensive wet sorting (this is the hand sorting that takes place under cover when the coffee has just been pulped and is still wet- the potato defect beans are most visible at this point).  Two new additional wet sorting sheds were added in 2020 to further improve this process. Once the coffee has been fully processed, the remaining coffee pulp is turned into a natural fertiliser as it degrades. When ready, it is distributed to local farmers to add nutrients to their soil.

To get the best from your coffee please take a look at our brew guides HERE

ALL PACKAGING IS CARBON NEUTRAL AND WIDELY RECYCLABLE