About This Coffee
Established in 1959, Nkora Coffee Washing Station is one of the oldest and largest in Rwanda. In 2023, operations were taken over by Rwacof (Sucafina in Rwanda), and the station now processes up to 1,000 metric tons of coffee annually. Located at 1,480 meters above sea level, Nkora washing station benefits from the proximity to Lake Kivu, where the cool breeze from the lake and volcanic clay soils of the Congo Nile Trail create an ideal environment for growing high-quality coffee.
Cultivation
The coffee in this lot is grown by smallholder farmers on farms less than one hectare in size. Farms are located in the high-altitude hills of the Rutsiro District in Western Rwanda, between 1,400 and 1,600 meters above sea level. The volcanic clay soils and the proximity to Lake Kivu contribute to the coffee's distinct character, as the lake helps moderate the temperature, creating ideal growing conditions. The region benefits from an average rainfall of 1,400-1,600 mm per year, supporting the cultivation of exceptional Bourbon coffee. Farmers grow Bourbon variety, known for its complexity and sweetness, producing a coffee with unique and desirable flavor notes.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
During harvest season, cherry is carefully handpicked by farmers and their families to ensure only ripe cherry is selected. At Nkora washing station, cherry undergoes meticulous sorting. The process begins with floating to remove any low-quality cherry, followed by a detailed visual inspection by trained staff to detect and remove defective cherry.
After sorting, cherry is pulped and fermented in tanks for 12 hours to remove mucilage. The resulting parchment is then sun dried on raised beds between 14 and 21 days, depending on weather conditions. Workers regularly rake parchment to ensure even drying.
Coffee in Rwanda
Despite its turbulent history, today Rwanda is one of the specialty coffee world’s darlings – for good reason! Our sister company in Rwanda does an amazing job of bringing the best that Rwanda has to offer to roasters around the world.
German missionaries and settlers brought coffee to Rwanda in the early 1900s. Largescale coffee production was established during the 1930 & 1940s by the Belgian colonial government. Coffee production continued after the Belgian colonists left. By 1970, coffee had become the single largest export in Rwanda and accounted for 70% of total export revenue. Coffee was considered so valuable that, beginning in 1973, it was illegal to tear coffee trees out of the ground.
Between 1989 and 1993, the breakdown of the International Coffee Agreement (ICA) caused the global price to plummet. The Rwandan government and economy took a hard hit from low global coffee prices. The 1994 genocide and its aftermath led to a complete collapse of coffee exports and vital USD revenue, but the incredible resilience of the Rwandan people is evident in the way the economy and stability have recovered since then.
Modern Rwanda is considered one of the most stable countries in the region. Since 2003, its economy has grown by 7-8% per year and coffee production has played a key role in this economic growth. Coffee has also played a role in Rwanda's significant advancements towards gender equality. New initiatives that cater to women and focus on helping them equip themselves with the tools and knowledge for farming have been changing the way women view themselves and interact with the world around them.
Today, smallholders propel the industry in Rwanda forward. The country doesn’t have any large estates. Most coffee is grown by the 400,000+ smallholders, who own less than a quarter of a hectare. The majority of Rwanda’s coffee production is Arabica. Bourbon variety plants comprise 95% of all coffee trees cultivated in Rwanda.