About This Coffee
Purchases of this IMPACT verified coffee from Rubagabaga contribute toward an IMPACT Beyond Flagship project that establishes livestock solidarity chains that make livestock accessible for coffee farming families. As part of our Beyond Flagship program line-up, this initiative supports improved income, access to microcredit, women's business development and inputs for organic agriculture as just a few of its components, thus contributing towards our IMPACT living income goal.
Rubagabaga washing station, established in 1992, is located on the sub-hill of Butare in the Kayanza region. The station is operated by Greenco and processes cherries from about 2,700 local farmers, each cultivating small plots of land. The area is known not only for its coffee but also for its abundant banana crops, from which it derives its name—“umubaga,” a reference to the traditional banana brew made in the region. The sub-hill is also famed for its rich clay deposits, used to produce tiles and bricks for local homes. Rubagabaga station has earned a reputation for its commitment to quality and certification standards.
Cultivation
The coffee in this lot is grown by smallholder farmers in Kayanza, at elevations between 1,600 and 1,900 meters above sea level. Each farmer typically manages an average farm size under 1 hectare, cultivating Red Bourbon variety. The high altitudes, fertile soils, and ideal climate conditions contribute to the development of complex flavors in the coffee, enhancing its sweetness, acidity, and aromatic profile.
This coffee is IMPACT verified, ensuring that agricultural practices give priority to environmental protection and support of biodiversity.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
During the harvest season, cherry is handpicked by farmers, who meticulously select ripe cherry from their crops. Most farmers have small plots, and harvesting is done almost entirely by the family. Once delivered to Rubagabaga washing station, cherry undergoes meticulous sorting using both flotation and hand-sorting to ensure the highest quality. During flotation, cherry is submerged in water to separate any underripes, while denser cherry is further handpicked for any visual defects at the sorting table.
Cherry is then pulped, and coffee is washed in clean water. Parchment is then dried on raised beds for approximately two weeks. Workers rake the parchment regularly to ensure even drying, resulting in a clean, consistent coffee that reflects the best of the region’s growing conditions.
Coffee in Burundi
Burundi has long been overlooked in comparison to its neighboring East African specialty coffee producing powerhouses. However, Burundi season, for us, is one of the highlights of the annual coffee calendar. The country’s coffee is produced almost entirely by smallholder farmers, and much of this small-scale production is of exceptional quality. With its super sweet, clean and often floral coffees, Burundi, every year, is increasingly is putting itself on the specialty coffee map.
Coffee is of paramount importance to families and the country at large. Considering this, improving and expanding coffee infrastructure is not just a way to improve incomes, it is a way to revolutionize the earning potential of an entire nation.
Building washing stations and expanding agricultural extension work can be great ways to improve coffee quality. Washing stations are pivotal in improving cup profile standards and the global reputation of Burundian coffee.
Both state-owned and private actors drive Burundi’s coffee industry and play key roles as washing station management companies and exporters. State-owned companies are called Sogestals, short for “Sociétés de Gestions des Stations de Lavage” (Washing station management companies). Privately-owned companies can operate under a variety of different names.
Sucafina’s history in Burundi goes back to 2007 when Bucafe/Sucafina Burundi was established in Bujumbura. Through Bucafe, we work with several privately-owned washing station management companies and exporters. Our work bridges the entire supply chain, allowing us to be vertically integrated. Our supply chain is solid, reliable and transparent. Due to this, we are more efficient, able to supply better value and positioned to offer both producers and consumers of Burundian coffee a diversity of expertise.