Known as the "Heart of Africa", Burundi is a land-locked and resource poor country. Their predominately agricultural economy employs more than 90% of the population, with its primary exports being coffee and tea - making coffee the heart of Burundi, providing hope for a better future.   A relative newcomer to the specialty coffee world, Burundi's coffee production started in the 1930's and was privatized in 2009. Primarily comprised of small-holder farms, each farm averages 100 to 200 coffee trees.   Greenco Burundi carefully manages the coffee cherry selection, processing and export of coffee at several washing stations, including the...

The Abateraninkunga Ba Sholi Cooperative, or Sholi Cooperative, meaning Mutual Assistance, was founded in 2008 by 30 women determined to invigorate Rwanda’s coffee market and their local community. Today nearly half of the members are women, and they are living up to the meaning of their name - their coffees have won the Rwandan Cup of Excellence Award for quality, resulting in lots being sold at a premium. The coop has used these premiums to improve infrastructure - a second washing station, a community center, a regional health center, and a wastewater management facility have all been added to the...

Ethiopia is universally recognized as the birthplace of coffee, and produces some of the most complex and exciting coffees in the world. This coffee from the neighboring woredas (districts) of Gelana and Abaya is no exception, highlighting the unique character and diversity of flavors found in Ethiopia’s micro-regions. Produced by small-holder farmers, the Gelena Abaya is washed, like most coffees produced in the southern zones where water is available. With few exceptions, all coffee exported from Ethiopia flows through the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange, where it is graded and traded anonymously, identified only by its region, processing method and cup quality....

Muungano means “togetherness” in Swahili, a principle epitomized by the nearly 4,400 smallholder farms in this cooperative. Founded in 2009, Muungano coop is almost half female, many of whom were widowed by war.  Gender justice is a key focus of the members, and they work closely with the Gender Action Learning Systems (GALS) to highlight the work of women. Muungano Cooperative is known for the sweet, bright and complex coffees they produce every year. Certified Fair Trade and 100% organic, this coffee tied for third in a tasting of women-produced coffees for Coffee Review’s June 2017 tasting report.  Why we...

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee and is the native home of the Coffea Arabica plant. Grown in an area that has traditionally processed coffee using a natural (dry) method, the quality of this washed coffee is exceptional. Because of growing conditions and other environmental factors, these coffees have a tendency toward floral and fruity aromas, and our new 2017 Limited Edition Ethiopia Guji Kercha lives up to this reputation.      This new Single Origin coffee is an example of Ethiopian coffee at its best. A gentle coffee with sweet and complex undertones, you'll experience notes of green melon,...