Rwanda | Isano Lot 1

REGION : Mbare

ALTITUDE : 1,800 MASL

VARIETAL : Red Bourbon

PROCESS : Washed

FLAVOUR NOTES : Prune, Green Apple, Cola

Ishano, meaning "relationship" in Kinyarwanda, reflects the collaborative spirit behind this coffee. Processed at Rwamatamu's Mbare washing station in Rwanda's Southern Province, it represents the work of hundreds of smallholder farmers and the long-term partnerships that support them.

Founded in 2015 by Rutaganda Gaston and Mukantwaza Laeticia, Rwamatamu is a family-run producer committed not only to quality coffee, but also to strengthening local communities. Cherries are carefully hand-sorted before being pulped, fermented, washed and dried on raised beds for around three weeks, resulting in a clean and expressive cup profile.

Beyond production, Rwamatamu invests heavily in farmer support programmes. A Women's Cooperative provides access to land, seedlings and agricultural training, while a Youth Association encourages younger generations to build careers within coffee, creating long-term opportunities across the region.

The result is a coffee shaped by collaboration, shared knowledge and a belief that strong communities are essential to producing exceptional coffee.

Sourced from the Mbare region of Rwanda, this Isano Lot 1 is produced by Rwamatamu and roasted by Hundred House Coffee. The coffee features the Red Bourbon varietal, which is widely recognized for its balanced sweetness and complex acidity. This specific lot undergoes a washed process, a method typically employed to highlight the inherent clarity and crispness of the bean.

In the cup, the roaster identifies notes of prune, green apple, and cola. While flavor profiles can vary significantly based on terroir and preparation, washed coffees often emphasize bright, clean acidity and distinct fruit-forward characteristics. To better understand how these specific descriptors fit into the broader spectrum of coffee profiles, you can reference the flavor wheel. This selection offers a focused look at the high-quality output currently emerging from the Rwandan coffee sector, showcasing the distinct profile of the Red Bourbon varietal grown at 1800 masl.