Rwanda: Kivu Kageyo Peaberry

The washing station Kageyo lies in the highlands surrounding the southeastern shores of Lake Kivu in Rwanda's Ngororero district. In fact, Kageyo was the 1st place winner of Rwanda's Cup of Excellence coffee competition in 2011. But other than winning this competition, the cooperative struggled during this time, taking out a bank loan to build a new wet mill that low harvests and insufficient mill capacity made it difficult to repay. A private exporter stepped in to help out, purchasing the wet mill, but leaving the farmer cooperative structure intact. This has benefited the coop in that they are absolved of their loan debt, have a direct connection with the specialty market through a well-established export partner, and retain a supply chain that is completely transparent. The wet mill recently underwent renovation, expanding their milling infrastructure in order to increase their production capabilities. The association is made up of small farmers situated around this 2000 meter wet mill, and coffee in the region is some of the highest altitudes we see in all of Rwanda. Like much of Rwanda, the coffee planted in the region is Bourbon variety. It's worth mentioning that this should not be confused with "Kigeyo", a name that you may recognize from other cafe menus. This is a separation of all the small, round peaberries, which occur when one seed fails to germinate inside the cherry. This is another beautiful Farm Gate coffee that is good for espresso.

Cupping Notes: Caramel sweetness, with accents of spice and fruits, cinnamon-caramel sauce, Chai tea, apple butter, tea-like acidity that leads to some tannic bittering, and bittersweet cocoa finish.

Brew Recommendations: Drip, French Press, pour-over, espresso.

Farm Gate Coffee: Farmers paid at least 50% above Fair Trade

Varietal: Bourbon

Region: Ngororero District

Process: Wet processed (washed) and sun-dried on raised beds

Equity Pricing (EP) Levels

Sustaining Level: $16 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Uplifting Level: $20 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Benefacting Level: $24 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Sourced from the Ngororero District, the Rwanda: Kivu Kageyo Peaberry represents a distinct expression of the Bourbon varietal. This lot is processed using the washed method, a technique often employed to highlight the inherent clarity and acidity of the bean. Peaberry selections, characterized by their unique single-seed development within the coffee cherry, frequently offer a concentrated profile that can be mapped against the flavor wheel to identify nuanced shifts in sweetness and body.

Roasted by Keia & Martyn's Coffee, this selection showcases a complex interplay of spice and fruit-forward characteristics. While washed coffees are generally celebrated for their clean, vibrant profiles, this specific offering balances tea-like acidity with deeper, bittersweet cocoa and caramel notes. The resulting cup profile reflects the specific terroir of the Kivu region, providing a sophisticated experience that bridges the gap between delicate, aromatic spice and a structured, lingering finish.