The Kayanza province is in the northern part of Burundi, close to the border of Rwanda, located at an altitude of more than 1800m. Kayanza has the reputation of being one of the best coffee producing regions in Burundi. It is also known for being the water source of the Nile River. We have 8 washing stations in Kayanza that produce our high quality specialty coffee. All the farmers we collect cherries from in Kayanza are registered with our washing stations. Each registered farmer is organised into a group of 30 which is headed by a lead farmer, who acts as a spokesperson to facilitate communication and organisation with the washing station. Due to Kayanza's high altitude, the coffee that is grown here has a high level of acidity that is mixed with a fruity-sweetness. It has good body together with a long and very sweet aftertaste. Generally, this coffee has tropical fruit characteristics (such as lemon, cherry and orange) and slightly sweet chocolate flavours.
Butegana was built in 1972 and was the first washing station in Burundi. It is in the Kayanza Commune in the Kayanza province and lies at an altitude of 1,612m. Many years ago, Rwandan and Burundian troops fought against each other in this region. That is how it got the name 'Butegana' which means "place of attack".
This washing station collects cherries from around 2,900 local coffee farmers spread over the 24 neighbouring collines. During the harvest season, Butegana processes more than 1,050 tons of coffee.
In the cup, this fine coffee tends to have a crisp yet balanced brightness, reminiscent of lemon blossoms, tangerine and white grape together with its long sustained sweetness of raisins, figs and honey.
Gahahe was built in 1989 in the Kayanza commune in the Kayanza province. It lies at an altitude of 1,805m. The name 'Gahahe' comes from the igihahe trees that were once found in this region. The branches of these trees look like cacti and grow in a round, balloon-like shape which is why they are more commonly known in English as the 'Candelabra Tree'. Due to the number of these trees in this region, the Kirundi phrase kubavomere batumisha was used to describe the land which means 'always covered in green'.
This washing station collects cherries from over 1,250 local coffee farmers spread over the 16 neighbouring collines. During the harvest season, Gahahe processes more than 600 tons of coffee.
In the cup, this delicate coffee has an excellent balance with firm body. It has the sweet taste of berries and liquorice with a slightly citrus aftertaste.
Gakenke was built in 1991 in the Gatara Commune in the Kayanza province. It lies at an altitude of 1,672m. Gakenke is named after the plants that are found in this region called imikenke. These plants have thin, hollow stems which people cut to use as a straw to drink the locally made banana beer. Many years ago, it was forbidden for anyone but the King to drink beer directly from the bottle. People would pour beer into a communal pot and sit in a circle together, drinking it with their straws.
This washing station collects cherries from over 1,900 local coffee farmers spread over the 22 neighbouring collines. During the harvest season, Gakenke processes more than 400 tons of coffee.
In the cup, this coffee has a subtle profile that reveals strong flavor of chocolate and notes of tropical fruits, with a long fruity aftertaste.
Kibingo was built in 1986 in the Kayanza Commune in the Kayanza province. It lies at an altitude of 1,893m, close to the Congo-Nile Crest. The washing station is known for its wooden bridge that was built over the river that runs through it. The name 'Kibingo' comes from the Kirundi word urubingo which means 'reeds'. Reeds were planted along the river to contain the water and to prevent the surrounding soils from eroding.
This washing station collects cherries from over 2,750 local coffee farmers spread over the 18 neighbouring collines. During the harvest season, Kibingo processes more than 650 tons of coffee.
In the cup, this exceptional coffee has floral citrus notes with a lot of caramel. It has a balanced profile between fruity sweetness & grilled bread aromas and a long aftertaste with fruity flavours.
Masha was built in 1989 in the Gatara Commune in the Kayanza province. It lies at an altitude of 1,672m. 'Masha' derives its name from the number of cows (amasha y'inka in Kirundi) found in the area.
This washing station collects cherries from over 2,500 local coffee farmers spread over the 12 neighbouring collines. During the harvest season, Masha processes more than 400 tons of coffee.
In the cup, this coffee offers a well balanced profile reminiscent of tangerine with long sustained honey sweetness over tea rose notes.
Nemba was built in 1991 in the Kayanza Commune in the Kayanza province. It lies at an altitude of 1,818m. The people who lived in this region had the reputation for being unproductive. They were called kunembera which is Kirundi for 'lazy'. Since the construction of the washing station and the increase in coffee farming activity, this perception of the people has changed.
This washing station collects cherries from over 2,600 local coffee farmers spread over the 15 neighbouring collines. During the season, Nemba processes more than 400 tons of coffee.
In the cup, this coffee reveals notes of tropical fruits balanced with a tangerine finish.
Rubagabaga was built in 1992 in the Gatara Commune in the Kayanza province. It lies at an altitude of 1,692m. The area is known for the number of banana trees that are grown to produce the locally made banana beer (ugwagwa in Kirundi). Usually, during the first day the beer is brewed it does not undergo the fermentation process and is called umubaga. When it is produced in large quantities, the beer is called rubagabaga, which is how the station got its name.
This washing station collects cherries from over 2,250 local coffee farmers spread over the 28 neighbouring collines. During the harvest season, Rubagabaga processes more than 500 tons of coffee.
In the cup, this coffee tends to have a bright acidity, a tangerine sweetness along with a subtle brownie aroma.
Yandaro was built in 1986 in the Kabarore Commune in the Kayanza province. It lies at an altitude of 1,774m. Farmers used to bring their herds of cows to the river in this area to wash them. It would usually take a couple of days to wash all the animals, which is why they built bee-hive shaped houses close to the river to sleep in. These houses are called indaro in Kirundi, which means "lodging" and is where the name 'Yandaro' comes from.
This washing station collects cherries from over 3,000 local coffee farmers spread over the 22 neighbouring collines. During the harvest season, Yandaro processes more than 1,200 tons of coffee.
In the cup, this subtle coffee reveals a complex blend of chocolate, brown sugar, bright acidity with a floral citrus finish.