85.18

ABOUT THE REGION

Burundi is a land with great coffee tradition. Its high altitude, thousands hills, volcanic soils, & abundant rains offer the ideal conditions for the production of exceptional & very exotic coffee. In Burundi there are no large plantations. Coffee is in fact grown in small family-owned farms and cherries are traditionally brought to the nearest coffee washing station.

The region of Kayanza from which this coffee comes from, is in the north of the country, near the border with Rwanda. Kayanza is mostly known for being the water source of the Nile river. A unique water that is used to process coffee cherries at all the neighbouring wet mills. That is probably one of the many reasons that sets this coffee apart from the competition every year at the prestigious “Cup Of Excellence”.

Besides everything, 2015 is definitely the perfect year to taste Burundi an coffee. An explosive acidity, a devastating body, and a killer aftertaste from an attempted “coup” of coffee, that is what Burundi has to offer this year.

ABOUT THE WASHING STATION

The washing station of Butegana built in 1972, was the first of its kind in Burundi . It collects the cherries from around 3000 farmers located on the neighbouring hills. Butegana has been UTZ certified since 2012.

In the cup, this fine coffee tends to have a crisp yet balanced brightness, reminiscent of lemon blossoms, tangerine & white grape. Its long sustained sweetness of raisins, figs, & honey made it win prizes at the Cup Of Excellence in 2013 & 2014.

KEY FACTS

Photo caption: A quiet day in Butegana, a stone’s throw from the border with Rwanda.