Discovery becomes Rituals
Our curated seasonal subscription has a new name, but the experience, the coffees, and the commitment to quality remain the same. Rituals reflects the journey; each month we share new stories, carefully building on those that came before.
Muraho
This month we are focussing on the work of Muraho, our partners in Rwanda. This is our fourth year working with Muraho, a connection enabled by our friends from Hobe Coffee here in Copenhagen.
Muraho Trading Co.
This is our fourth year working with renowned Rwandan producers Muraho Trading Co. The coffees that they produce are quite simply some of the best Rwandan lots we have tasted at La Cabra, and Gaudam and Carthick Anbalagan, the brothers that run the project, are among the most innovative producers in the country. Last summer, Carthick was able to visit us and cup together with the team in Copenhagen, sharing stories of the most recent harvest in Rwanda.
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Gaudam & Carthick
Gaudam and Carthick were brought up in Rwanda but moved to Wellington, New Zealand as teenagers. After the devastating effect that the 1994 Genocide had on the country, the brothers felt they had to return and be part of rebuilding and recovering the land they had always called home. So they left life in New Zealand behind, moved back to Rwanda, and started work on the project that became Muraho.
Since then they have gone from strength to strength, and now own several stations throughout the coffee producing regions of Rwanda, exporting coffee to some of the world’s finest roasters. They have also innovated, having been the first to produce and export naturally processed coffees from Rwanda in 2016, after lobbying for government permission for several years. Last year, they were also the first to export varietals other than Bourbon from Rwanda, a project we’re excited to be a part of.
Shyira
The Shyira Coffee Washing Station (CWS) is the highest altitude of the Muraho stations, located in the northern Nyabihu district. Shyira’s remote location also means it is the smallest station; a big driver in the decision to build here was the greater impact that Muraho could have on the very rural population. Here, their genuine drive for social change led to a focus on access to speciality coffee knowledge, and importantly pricing.
Over the past couple of harvests, Shyira has consistently produced our favourite lots out of Rwanda. The weather conditions here are perfect for both production and processing, the volcanic soils are healthy, and of course the high altitude leads to slow maturing, sugar-rich cherries..
This washed lot has a clear citrus acidity, backed up by a deep white sugar sweetness and the typical heavily savoury, almost musk-like floral aromatics we often find in Rwandan lots
Bumbogo
The Bumbogo Coffee Washing Station is owned by Neza Trading Co, but run in conjunction with Muraho. It is located in the Gakenke district, famous for high quality coffees in Rwanda; many previous winners of the Cup of Excellence have come from Gakenke. Muraho’s investment and support has meant that Bumbogo have been able to almost double their production since their first harvest in 2018. Bumbogo farmers are also provided with seedlings and agronomic education, leading to ever greater quality.
The natural lot is first floated in order to remove low density or defective cherry, then dried on raised beds in the sun, normally taking around 30 days. Due to the powerful African sun, the coffee has to be turned almost constantly during the day, while it is covered at night to protect from condensation during the cool and humid evenings.
This leads to a heavier take on Rwanda, with soft berry notes and a creamy body giving a strawberry yoghurt character.
Shyira & Bumbogo
We’re proud to be able to share Muraho’s work with you once again this month. Their work has continually led to some of the best coffees we have ever tasted from Rwanda, while returning added value to thousands of producers across the coffee regions of the country. We hope to continue our relationship with the skilled team behind Muraho, and share their excellent coffees with those who appreciate them most.