Rwanda- Rulinda Murambi

This one caught us off guard. East Africa is where our heart is, and we cup a lot of Rwanda, so it takes something to genuinely surprise us. This did. It ticked every box we have. We bought what we could get, which was not much, and we're glad to have it on the shelf while it lasts.

It's the work of 170 smallholder farmers in Rwanda's Gatsibo District, growing between 1,600 and 1,786 meters and carrying their cherries to the Murambi washing station. Most tend just a few acres, small family plots often intercropped with beans, all of it pooled into something with real clarity in the cup.

Processing is classic Rwandan washed. Cherries are hand sorted and floated to pull anything underripe, fermented, then soaked and run through grading channels before a slow 14 to 21 day dry on raised beds. It drinks bright and layered: lemonade sweetness up front, a pop of Rainier cherry, graham cracker warmth on the finish.

⚓ At the Source

Producer

170 smallholders · Murambi Washing Station

Region

Gatsibo District, Eastern Province, Rwanda

Altitude

1,600–1,786 masl

Variety

Bourbon

Process

Fully Washed

Tastes Like

Lemonade · Rainier Cherry · Teddy Graham

The Rwanda- Rulinda Murambi is a fully washed coffee produced by 170 smallholders delivering to the Murambi Washing Station in the Gatsibo District of the Eastern Province. This lot features the Bourbon varietal, a plant type historically significant for its balanced cup profile and complex acidity. By utilizing the fully washed method, the producers emphasize the inherent clarity and brightness of the bean, which often results in a clean, vibrant finish.

Roasted by Anchorhead Coffee, this selection highlights the distinct terroir of Rwanda’s Eastern Province. When evaluating the specific tasting notes of lemonade, Rainier cherry, and Teddy Graham, tasters may find it helpful to reference the flavor wheel to better categorize these nuanced sensations. While washed coffees are frequently celebrated for their crisp acidity and refined structure, the specific character of this lot reflects the dedicated efforts of the smallholders working within the 1600–1786 masl range.