Gwiza Women Group, Rwanda, Washed
- Regular price
- $19.00
- Sale price
- $19.00
- Regular price
-
- Unit price
- per
Orange, caramel and apple
New in!
COFFEE PROFILE
This espresso is laden with citrus and malic notes, with flavours of fresh orange and apple accompanied by a caramel-like sweetness.
| TASTES LIKE | Orange, caramel and apple |
| ROAST | Espresso |
Story
The Gwiza Women Group, part of the Abadatezuka Cooperative, is a collective of dedicated female coffee farmers in Rwanda's Western Province. Established in 2017, this cooperative brings together smallholder farmers who deliver their meticulously cultivated coffee cherries to the Cyato Washing Station, located at an impressive altitude of 1,850 meters in the Nyamasheke district. The coffee is grown at elevations reaching up to 2,200 meters, benefiting from the fertile soils and favourable climate of the region.
The Gwiza Women Coffee is a microlot that showcases the dedication of these women farmers and the unique terroir of Rwanda’s Western Province. This offering celebrates quality and sustainability, delivering an unparalleled coffee experience. The Gwiza Women Group adheres to sustainable practices, avoiding synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, and relies on natural pollination by native honeybees from the nearby Nyungwe Forest. By supporting this coffee, consumers not only enjoy a superb cup but also contribute to the empowerment and economic development of these skilled women producers, helping to uplift their communities and promote gender equality in the coffee industry.
| PRODUCER | Gwiza Women Group |
| REGION | Nyamasheke District, Western Province |
| VARIETAL | Bourbon |
| PROCESS | Washed |
| ALTITUDE | 2200 masl |
Origin
Nyamasheke District, Western Province, Rwanda
Rwanda's Nyamasheke district, situated in the Western Province, has a storied history of coffee cultivation that mirrors the region's challenges and triumphs. Coffee was introduced to Rwanda in 1904 by German missionaries who planted the first coffee trees at the Mibirizi mission in the Cyangugu province, leading to the development of the Mibirizi variety, a natural mutation of the Bourbon variety. Over time, coffee farming spread across the country, including the fertile lands of Nyamasheke.
During the colonial period, particularly around 1930, the Belgian administration mandated coffee cultivation, compelling many farmers to grow coffee as a cash crop. Despite the challenges posed by these policies, coffee became integral to Rwanda's agricultural landscape. Nyamasheke, with altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 meters above sea level, provides ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. The region predominantly grows Arabica coffee, especially the Red Bourbon variety, known for its high quality and distinctive flavour profile.
In recent decades, efforts to improve coffee quality and processing methods have led to the establishment of numerous washing stations and cooperatives, empowering local farmers and enhancing coffee quality. These initiatives have increased global recognition of Nyamasheke's coffee, and today, the district is celebrated for producing exceptional specialty coffees that reflect its rich history and the dedication of its farming communities.
