Crema Trekkers: Explore Burundi Nkongwe Hill, Muyange

Nkongwe Hill, Muytange Burundi Single Origin

 

BURUNDI COFFEE BEANS


The Burundi single origin coffee beans are a naturally processed Bourbon, grown in the Gitega region at the Gaterama washing station. Grown at an altitude of approximately 1,700-1,900m above sea level, with only the ripest cherries used in processing.

Bourbon is a parent to a variety of Arabica varieties, named after Bourbon Island (now known as Reunion Island) where it is derived from. It’s a short tree with many secondary branches and on average produces 25% more coffee than the Typica variety. The Bourbon variety is renowned for its exceptional sweet/acid balance, and is considered by many producers and roasters to be a classic everyday drinking coffee.

The Burundi single origin coffee is best suited to alternative brewing methods, including Pour Over, Chemex and French Press. These methods tend to bring out a better acid/sweet balance in the coffee.

 

Tasting Notes: Low acidity and soft body with pomegranate, red berries and melon notes, and hints of caramel and chocolate.

Burundi Coffee Single Origin     Burundi Coffee Single Origin     Burunddi Coffee Single Origin

 

NKONGWE HILL, MUYANGE - BURUNDI


The Muyange and Nkongwe Hills growing areas are located in the Bugendana region and process their cherries at the Gaterama washing station. The quality of Burundi coffee is on the rise and to guarantee the quality of the coffee, farmers of the area only pick the ripest cherries before processing them. The majority of the country’s coffee industry grows the Arabica Bourbon varietal as a cash crop.

Burundi is home to approximately 800.000 coffee growing/producing families, and the industry accounts for around 80% of the country’s export revenue. Most of the farms across the country grow between 50-250 trees, which is not enough for farmers to engage in direct trade on their own, which means farmers bring their cherries to cooperatives and washing stations for processing and export.

The weather conditions of Burundi are a natural coffee growing region with plenty of mountains for altitude, volcanic soil for nutrients and mist cover for protection, and all set right along the equator. This has created prime conditions for the rapid development of specialty coffee in the region, which earns farmers more money and is still a great price for end customers. High grown coffee from the Kayanza, Ngozi and Muyange (can also be spelt Muyinga) provinces are beginning to make a name for themselves in the coffee industry abroad. The increase in demand for specialty coffee also means farmers are reviewing their practices and taking more care with crops to increase yield.

The Gaterama washing station for example is working with farmers to receive an organic certification. The have planted new tree, growing them organically, and the station will receive the organic certification in three years when the trees are grown and ready for their first harvest. In this pursuit, they are training their farmers to work towards organic farming techniques.

The station also uses Kenyan type of double fermentation technique to extract sweetness and fruit flavours, and to add to the high acidity found in Burundi coffees.

Burundi Coffee Single Origin     Burundi Coffee Single Origin     Burundi Coffee Single Origin

 

THE GREEN BEAN PROCESS


The typical processing method in Burundi is similar somewhat to Kenya, with a “dry fermentation” of roughly 12 hours after de-pulping, followed by a soak of 12–14 hours in mountain water. Coffees are floated to sort for density, then soaked again for 12–18 hours before being dried in parchment on raised beds.

Burundi Coffee Single Origin     Burundi Coffee Single Origin     Burundi Coffee Single Origin

 

Image Sources:

http://www.wondermondo.com/Burundi.htm

https://www.collaborativecoffeesource.com/the-collaborative-blog/2014/08/01/craft-coffee-in-burundi

https://www.cafeimports.com/origin_burundi

http://spilling-the-beans.net/burundi-doubles-cup-of-excellence-participants-as-minister-vows-to-improve-coffee-quality/

https://www.afrika-news.com/coffee-production-taking-lead-burundi/

http://medafricatimes.com/5173-the-burundi-wants-to-double-its-production-of-coffee-by-2021.html

http://www.longmilescoffeeproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/476B5678-11-900x1350.jpg