About This Coffee
Buliza washing station is located in the Burega Sector of the Rulindo District in Northern Rwanda. Established in 2007, Buliza washing station has steadily increased its production capacity to up to 80 metric tons of parchment coffee per season. The station is operated by Rwacof (Sucafina in Rwanda) and processes both fully washed and natural coffees, earning recognition for its quality control standards, including winning the prestigious Cup of Excellence in 2011. In Buliza washing station, rigorous sorting, washing, and drying processes ensure the consistent quality of the coffee produced resulting in a clean and fruity cup.
Cultivation
The coffee in this lot is cultivated by smallholder farmers, each managing plots smaller than one hectare. These farms are situated in the high-altitude regions of the Rulindo District at elevations ranging from 1,600 to 2,000 meters above sea level. The combination of high altitude, fertile volcanic soils, and optimal growing conditions enhances the complex and desirable flavor profile of Bourbon coffee varieties grown in this region.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
During harvest season, cherry is carefully handpicked by farmers and their families to ensure only ripe cherry is selected. At Buliza 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. Then parchment is sun-dried on raised beds, where workers regularly rake it to ensure even drying. Depending on the weather, the drying process takes between 14 and 21 days.
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.