Roast: light / / / / / / / / / dark

Variety: Red Bourbon

The first natural process of the season hits the a(o) lineup with light, bright, and fresh vibes – like standing in the spring sun after 5 months of Boston winter! Subtle fruit flavors accompany a crisp, green apple acidity and a pleasant champagne essence. It also presents a distinct dried fruit element reminiscent of golden raisin or dried mulberry.

This is my second year working with Baho Coffee and Sundog Coffee Trading. Hailing from the Akagera Station in the Nyamasheke District of Rwanda, this coffee represents new beginnings and bright futures. Baho owner Emmanuel Rusatira began managing this station in 2020 after he was approached by its original owners, the Kobakanya Coffee Cooperative, with an offer to purchase the station. He accepted and has since bolstered the Kobakanya Co-op members with access to global specialty coffee markets and higher prices for their harvests. With the help of new resources like free fertilizer and seedlings, Akagera’s future is optimistic. The name of this coffee lot – Urubyiruko (youth in Kinyarwanda) – is inspired by its contributing farmers, all under the age of 35 and new to coffee growing. This is an exciting project for Baho as it partners with farmers eager to invest in the coffee sector with new farms, most of which have young trees just starting to produce fruit.

The processing of this coffee is meticulously monitored. Harvested cherries are hand-sorted to separate the ripest ones from the unripe. Next, they float in water tanks, where lingering unripe and less dense cherries rise to the top and are skimmed off. The remaining cherries are spread out in a single layer on raised beds and are frequently hand-turned to ensure even air exposure. The coffee is protected from high temperatures as needed, optimizing for a cool environment that keeps the cherries from drying too fast. Low and slow = good! This coffee took 36 days to reach optimal internal moisture content. I am excited to share this first-of-the-summer offering with you!