Rwanda Green Coffee

Rwandan coffee is truly special, renowned for its vibrant flavors and exceptional quality. The country’s high altitudes, nutrient-rich volcanic soil, and abundant rainfall create the perfect conditions for cultivating specialty coffee, particularly the prized Red Bourbon variety.
What sets Rwandan coffee apart is the nation's commitment to quality over quantity. Rather than focusing on high-volume commercial production, the government has invested heavily in the development of specialty coffee. This focus on excellence has allowed Rwanda to carve out a unique identity in the global coffee market.
Rwanda’s coffee story is also one of resilience. In the years following the genocide, the government and farmers united to rebuild the industry from the ground up. Today, Rwandan coffee is not only a testament to the country’s ideal growing conditions but also a symbol of hope, collaboration, and progress.

Bourbon accounts for about 95% of the coffee grown in Rwanda, with smaller quantities of other varietals like Catuai and Caturra. Rwanda is renowned for its exceptional Red Bourbon Arabica coffee, which thrives in the ideal growing conditions around Lake Kivu. This region’s high altitudes, volcanic soil, and temperate climate make it perfect for producing some of the world’s most exclusive coffees. Most of the coffee is meticulously washed at government-funded communal washing stations, ensuring consistency and quality. While washed coffee remains the preferred processing method, a small but growing number of farmers are embracing natural processing and other experimental methods, adding even more diversity to Rwanda’s coffee offerings.

Rwandan coffee often features notes of chocolate, cinnamon, and fruit, complemented by a pronounced sweetness reminiscent of sugarcane, honey, or caramel. Many Rwandan coffees also showcase delicate floral undertones such as lavender, jasmine, or hibiscus, paired with a clean, crisp finish.
Known for its high, bright acidity, Rwandan coffee shares similarities with the vibrant profiles of Ethiopian and Kenyan coffees. Processing methods further enhance its unique characteristics—washed processing emphasizes clarity and brightness, highlighting fruity and floral notes, while natural processing adds a fuller body and intense fruitiness.
The prized Red Bourbon variety adds even more depth, presenting flavors of caramel, spices, orange blossom, and fruits like raspberries and cherries.

To source our coffee from Rwanda, we partner with Omwani, an African-focused green coffee company founded in Uganda in 2018. Omwani shares our commitment to sourcing exceptional coffee while making a real, positive impact in the regions where they operate. Their focus is on building genuine, long-term relationships with producers, valuing stories and brands over transient transactions.
Omwani’s straightforward, jargon-free approach ensures a simple, direct, and friendly partnership with farmers. This allows us to bring you Rwandan coffees that not only highlight the quality and unique flavors of the region but also reflect the values and stories of the producers. By working closely with Omwani, we’re able to support sustainable practices and invest in the livelihoods of coffee farmers, bringing you a product that’s not just special in taste, but also meaningful in its impact.