Munkaze

Ephrem Sebatigita has been working in the coffee industry for decades. He's a third generation coffee producer and is often respectfully referred to by locals as their “Coffee Grandfather”. Ephrem has contributed incredible value to the Burundi coffee value chain. He is an electrical engineer by trade and has built and managed multiple coffee dry mills, leads the CQI efforts in the country, consults for farmers, and produces some of the finest coffees that represent Burundi and his expertise.

Beyond educating others, Ephrem owns and operates Munkaze Washing Station and his family coffee farms that are located in widely known Kayanza Province. The coffee washing station sits right off the road just east of Kayanza Centre creating excellent access for his cooperative partnerships to deliver coffee cherries, as well as his multi generation family coffee sitting above the road on the hillside. The other family farm, Rubagabaga, is a bit further away but rich with history. In the 1930’s, Ephrem’s grandfather planted some of the first coffee trees on this farm in Kayanza establishing an origin story resulting in much of Ephrem’s amazing career today. A few of those original trees are still on the Rubagabaga farm today to commemorate its history.

Even with such accolades and expertise, Ephrem just wants to see Burundi specialty coffee win and help others succeed in the process. We are proud and honored to partner with Ephrem and share his beautiful coffees that represent his heritage, amazing Kayanza terroir, and the vision he has for Burundi.

Munkaze comes from Kayanza Province in Burundi, a region known for producing coffees with distinctive character. This lot is sourced from producer Ephrem Sebatigita and roasted by Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. Burundian coffees are often prized for their bright acidity and complex fruit-forward profiles, though individual expressions vary considerably depending on processing method and terroir. Exploring this coffee offers insight into the range of flavors possible from the East African highlands. Refer to the flavor wheel while tasting to identify the specific notes present in your cup.