JOT

Kibirizi — Nyamagabe

Southern Province, Rwanda · Washed Bourbon

Rwanda is often called the land of a thousand hills. Somewhere among those hills, this coffee slowly ripened.

This lot comes from the Kibirizi washing station in Nyamagabe, where around 1,130 smallholder farmers deliver freshly harvested cherries from surrounding mountain farms. The coffee is grown at roughly 1,771 meters above sea level, where cool temperatures and high elevations help the cherries develop vibrant acidity and layered sweetness.

Most farms in this region are very small — often less than a hectare — but the collective work of hundreds of growers contributes to the distinctive character of the lot. The dominant variety here is Bourbon, a cultivar known for producing elegant coffees with refined fruit notes and balanced structure.

In the cup, the profile feels lively and expressive. Strawberry and peach bring a soft fruit sweetness, while lemon citrus adds brightness and lift. Beneath it all sits a gentle layer of dark chocolate and floral aromatics, giving the cup both clarity and depth.

After harvest, farmers selectively handpick ripe cherries and deliver them to the washing station the same day. The cherries are sorted, pulped, and wet-fermented before being fully washed. The parchment coffee is then dried carefully on raised African beds, where it is turned frequently to ensure even drying and preserve the coffee’s clean, vibrant character.

The result is a classic Rwandan profile — bright, juicy, and beautifully balanced.

Elegant fruit.
Clean citrus lift.
A mountain-grown expression of Rwanda.