Table of contents
Rwanda
$ 0.50 - $2.50 per ounce
| Varieties | Arabica, Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai, Robusta, Typica |
| How to Serve | No special way of serving it |
| Flavor | Floral acidity with hints of citrus and aftertaste of caramel |
| Recommended Machine | Siphon, French Press, Pourover, Stovetop |
| Good As | Americano, Espresso, Doppio, Ristretto, Lungo |
| Price Range | $0.50 – $2.50 per ounce |
| Caffeine Level | 0.5% on average |
Rwanda’s coffee history is not very long and it dates back to 1904 when German missionaries brought the first beans into the country. This product has become crucial to Rwanda’s economy and in the 1930s, the Belgian colonial authority mandated that all farmers (the great majority of the country’s population) plant coffee trees. Currently, Rwanda, unlike its East African neighbors (Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda), lacks vast estates. The vast majority of its coffee is farmed by 400,000 small-scale farmers and their families, the bulk of whom possess less than a quarter hectare of land apiece.
Rwandan coffee, like the nation from which it comes, is renowned for its depth and complexity. Now, the highly regarded Bourbon Arabica coffee plant accounts for 95 percent of its production. And, given the appropriate conditions, that plant yields a fantastic, high-quality bean.
Varieties grown in the country include:
| Arabica | Robusta | Bourbon |
| Typica | Caturra | Catuai |
Below, you can find information about the top products we could find from Rwanda, as well as guides and general background of coffee cultivation in the country.
The ideal place for growing Rwandan coffee is in the western part of the country. This location is about 5,600 feet, and steep slopes drop into the beautiful blue banks of Lake Kivu. The height of Western Rwanda, which is suitable for coffee cultivation, is about 5,600 feet, and steep slopes drop into the beautiful blue banks of Lake Kivu.
There are around 400,000 coffee farming households in Rwanda, with the majority of them living in tiny mud and brick huts or, when they are better off, a concrete house. The average household has around 450 coffee trees, but they also gather sorghum, beans, sweet potatoes, and vegetables.
Generally, Rwandan coffee is cultivated on slopes at high altitudes ranging from 5,600 to 7,200 feet. Coffee trees are an important element of the scenery in this area and have been for many years. When picked, handled, and processed appropriately, Rwanda provides ideal circumstances for producing high-quality coffee and earning premium rates. However, difficulties such as poor soil quality and unpredictable weather can make earning a living from coffee a challenge. Coffee plants usually reach maturity in three to five years, which is why any damage to the crop is pretty much devastating. The Bourbon varietal, which is most prevalent in Rwanda, matures completely after four years. Once the trees reach maturity, there is just one harvest season each year, which lasts around three months.
Currently, there are five main regions in Rwanda, where high-quality Rwandan coffee beans grow. These include:
If you are interested in the taste of Rwandan coffee as well, then this guide is specially written for you. Although it’s good to source this coffee directly from Rwandan coffee farmers, it may be really challenging. First the payment and then the logistics of course. And with Amazon, you can get your package in 24 hours or less and at pretty much the same price.
We pay attention to the following:
For more detailed information on how exactly we rate the coffee products we suggest in our guides, click here.
So, are you ready to explore your new favorite type of Rwandan coffee? We decided to do individual overviews of our top choices, stating all important facts about them so it is easier for you to make the right decision based on your taste and preferences. So, sit back and enjoy the process while we describe our favorite coffees to you.
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Price: $$13.99 (subject to change) |
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Size: 8.8 ounces |
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Type: Bourbon |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Gorilla’s Coffee |
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Beans: Ground |
The Dukunde Kawa cooperative (where Gorilla’s Coffee sources its beans from) grows this coffee from trees of the heirloom Bourbon form of the Arabica plant at a height of 6,600 feet, near to mountain gorilla habitat.
From the first sip of this Rwandan coffee, you can feel the notes of low-toned fruit, semi-sweet chocolate, and fresh-cut cedar. The cup is delicate yet rich, enlivened by soft acidity and complex taste of fruit (cherry, peach) and semi-sweet chocolate flavors that persist. The last sip is straightforward yet delectably clean.
Gorilla’s Coffee is supplied from farmer cooperatives who cultivate coffee at high altitudes on fertile volcanic soil. “Beyond Fair Trade” guarantees that farmers share in the value of the coffee you buy. “Gorilla’s Coffee” is something entirely different – it’s a sublimely wonderful coffee from Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills. You can easily satisfy your craving with the finest coffee you’ve ever tasted.
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Price: $$18.00 (subject to change) |
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Size: 16 ounces |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Kivubelt Coffee |
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Beans: Ground |
Kivubelt Coffee is a 100% pure high-grade Arabica Speciality Coffee produced on the Rwandan beaches of Lake Kivu. The high elevation, the humid tropical mist from Lake Kivu, and the rich volcanic soils coming from the Virunga volcanoes all combine to produce a perfect terroir for this one-of-a-kind coffee bean.
From my experience, this light-dark roast is a perfect option for people that love a Latte, Espresso, and Cappuccino, but also filter, Drip, and french press coffee. Kivubelt is smooth and silky, with fragrant aromas that are not overpowering for a dark roast. I usually add a dash of sugar to my coffee, but it isn’t necessary with Kivubelt since some natural sweetness comes through. The good news is that Kivubelt helps over 500 Rwandan families by selling these coffee cherries.
One package of these 16-ounce Rwandan coffee beans costs $18 and is pretty affordable. Considering the fact that this coffee is produced by an award-winning company that aims to produce high-quality coffee using the best agricultural practices makes this product worthy of your time, money, and attention.
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Price: $$32.58 (subject to change) |
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Size: 3 pounds |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Dark |
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Producer: Kirkland |
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Beans: Whole |
The next one on our list is Kirkland Signature Rwandan coffee which is my personal favorite. If you love the rich dark coast and its flavor, then this is a perfect option for you. This dark roast offers a distinctive full-bodied, somewhat bitter flavor. It tastes wonderful in the morning with a little milk in it, and I highly advise you to use milk as it makes the flavor much more enjoyable.
The brand behind this product is Kirkland signature, which was created by Costco in 1995. Usually, off-brand goods are not only tasty and delightful, but they are also of great quality, comparable to their more expensive counterparts. Considering the fact that Signature Dark Roast is not always available at Costco, the best option for customers is to purchase these Rwandan coffee beans on Amazon.
These Rwandan whole bean dark roast coffee beans are available for $32.58 at Amazon and weigh 3 pounds. The good news is that if you use Amazon Prime, you can get them in less than 24 hours.
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Price: $$29.95 (subject to change) |
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Size: 12 ounces |
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Type: Bourbon |
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Roast: Medium |
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Producer: Cooper’s Cask Coffee |
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Beans: Whole |
Rwandan Rum Barrel-Aged Beans are a special type of Rwandan coffee as it offers the ideal combination of Rwanda single-origin coffee’s inherent dark coffee with the caramel sweetness and subtle spice of the rum. This coffee will be very smooth for you. After a fresh grind, the scent transforms into a wonderful caramelized sugar and all-spice with a hint of golden raisins. The aromas in the brewed cup persist, but they develop into a rich chocolate depth with notes of spice, wood, and vanilla.
Unlike other companies that offer whiskey-aged coffee and don’t reveal the name of their liquor brand, Cooper’s Cask coffee store is pretty transparent about everything. They blend their single-sourced coffee beans with award-winning whiskey from Sons of Liberty and rum from Thomas Tew. The company offers three distinct foreign beans that have been matured with two different whiskeys and one rum. The mild whiskey flavor complements the coffee to provide a rich-tasting drink.
This coffee will definitely make you feel special as each package is individually crafted. For a 12-ounce package, you will have to pay $29.95 – and you get not only coffee but a taste of alcohol as well. It is possible to choose from 4 different flavors including Rum, Bourbon Whiskey, Single-Malt, and Rye Whiskey.
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Price: $$39.70 (subject to change) |
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Size: 5 pounds |
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Type: Arabica |
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Roast: Unroasted |
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Producer: Smokin Beans |
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Beans: Whole |
These Premium green coffee beans taste something like sweet lemonade, peach, and black tea. This coffee grows in Rwanda at an altitude of 1800 meters and is considered one of the best Southern African coffee.
Over 800 small farmers cultivate Misozi Kopakaki in Rwanda’s Karongi District. In order to produce the greatest coffee possible, the farmers in this area have formed a cooperative called Kopakaki, which has pooled their coffee, resources, and experience. Their coffee fields are located at high elevations of 1500-1800 meters, the plant varieties are African Bourbon, All of this results in a high-quality cup with bright and clear taste notes of lemonade, peach, and black tea.
From my experience, these beans have a delicious taste. I got the creamy flavor I was searching for. I also used a hot air popper to roast them, and they came out quite tasty. I tried these at a milder roast and they were delicious. I assumed a darker roast would be better, but the espresso roast stripped away all of the flavors, leaving the taste flat and weak.
There are three simple and popular coffee brewing techniques for coffee-lovers just like me who want to brew a better cup of coffee at home with the best Rwandan coffee beans. Let’s take a look at them together!
For leisurely Saturday mornings, the French Press is the ideal low-maintenance brewing technique. When done correctly, it yields a creamy-bodied coffee. To brew the ideal French Press, follow this guide. Here’s the list of what you’ll need:
Whatever size French Press you decide to use, a decent rule of thumb is to utilize a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio. So, for every 1 gram of coffee, add 15 grams of water, which equates to approximately 3 tablespoons of coffee for every 1 cup of water. You can experiment from there to discover the right ratio for you. Them, you will have to follow these simple steps:
Check out Our List of French Presses
The siphon brewer is the most interesting method to brew coffee. Siphon brewing entails a fire or halogen beam heater, a vacuum effect, and fancy-looking scientific equipment, all of which add excitement to the coffee-brewing process. However, it is important to note that brewing coffee using a siphon might be a little difficult in the beginning, so let’s go over how to make coffee with a siphon.
You’ll need the following to brew coffee:
How to brew with a siphon:
Pour-over coffee is a drip technique of brewing, however, it differs from the drip method produced by your automatic coffee maker. Pour-over coffee necessitates pouring the water over the coffee beans by hand. When done correctly, it results in a more delightful cup.
The main reason why I love this brewing method is that you have complete control over the whole process. There is no machine in the picture. There is no opportunity to push a button, walk away, and return to a steaming hot cup in several minutes. Without further discussion, here are things that you’ll need for the pour-over method:
Now that you have everything you need, here’s how to prepare a cup of pour-over coffee:
Keep in mind that pouring constantly is the key to producing the ideal cup. Just be cautious not to overfill the highest level – you want your coffee to be about 12 inches from the top.
