Rwanda - Musasa Ruli

This coffee comes from the Ruli Washing Station, the first of four washing stations operated by the Musasa Dukunde Kawa cooperative in Rwanda's rugged northwest. Working with over a thousand smallholder farmers, the cooperative has helped transform coffee into a sustainable source of income through a shared commitment to quality, traceability, and community development.

This particular lot was produced by 105 exceptional women producers. Premiums earned from these coffees are reinvested into initiatives that support the women and their families through micro-savings programmes, livestock farming, and other community projects.

After harvest, only fully ripe cherries are hand-picked before being carefully sorted and dried on raised beds for around 45 days. The slow natural drying process allows the fruit sugars to develop while preserving the clarity and character of the coffee.

We brewed this behind the bar as an espresso on 29 June, using a roast from 4 June. It was jammy, with the sweetness of dried fruits and an acidity reminiscent of grapes. Our recipe was 18g in, 36g out, over 26 seconds at 92.5°C.