Burundi - Rugembe

‘Rugembe’ is a micro-lot that was processed by Migoti coffee, a social enterprise owned and operated by Burundians, they’re doing amazing work connecting coffee growers to coffee roasters and helping develop the local community and economy. 

Zephyrin Banzubaze manages the processing at Migoti mill and Thomas Kurumbone was the lead farmer contributing cherry to the lot we have selected. Thomas has around 410 coffee trees yielding around 2000KG of coffee. 

Migoti Coffee Company takes its name from the indigenous tree that grows in the area, as well asthe name of the hill on which they built their first washing station. The directors, Dan Brose and Pontien Ntunzwenimana, whose backgrounds are both in engineering, set up the company in 2015. Their goal was to help restart coffee production in the country after a devastating 12-year civil war. They have been an important part of helping the local community rebuild.

In 2017 Zephyrn Banzubaze joined them, bringing a wealth of experience to help inform their practices.

Since then, Migoti have focused resources on teaching farmers about best practices, increasing yields and improving coffee quality.

Located in South-East Africa, Burundi is a landlocked country bordered by Rwanda to the North, Tanzania to the South and East and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the West.

Burundi is among the smallest coffee-producing countries in East Africa, with a population of 10.5 million that is endowed with ideal conditions for coffee production: elevations of 1500 - 2000 m, Arabica Bourbon coffee trees, abundant rainfall, and approximately 800,000 families who cultivate an average of 150-200 coffee trees per farm.

The country is very densely populated with agricultural communities, as a result, the soil can be intensely used. This, along with the steep lie of the land, has meant the effects of erosion are keenly felt in some areas. The capital investment required to produce coffees of specialty grade is significant; in addition due to issues around land ownership it is difficult for smallholder farmers to access credit - all this makes the work of enterprises like Migoti crucial.

Arabica coffee now represents virtually 100% of Burundi's national production and the bourbon variety grown at high elevations in Burundi is characteristically sweet with bright acidity, big body, floral, citrus and spiced with wild notes.

Burundi is an incredibly beautiful and culturally rich nation that produces coffees of outstanding quality.