Rwanda - KCRS Women’s Cooperative

Washed process in Rwanda typically looks a bit different to what we understand as washed elsewhere. Fully washed denotes the process of pulping the coffee and allowing a 24-hour dry fermentation period before undergoing more traditional wet fermentation, followed by the typical soaking for 24 hours afterwards, more in line with what you would expect in Kenya.

This coffee was sourced via our partners at DRWakefield, who we have been buying our Kinini coffees from for the last six seasons.
Jacquie, one of the founders of the Kinini washing station and a key member of the International Women’s Coffee Association, has helped the farmers group and organise, provided training and helped work through the paperwork needed to register the cooperative.

Often overlooked in discussions about Kinini is the crucial role of A New Beginning Rwanda, the charity that initiated the washing station. Established 13 years ago, the charity aids Rwandan widows and orphans displaced by the 1994 genocide. It began by building a school and health post to improve education and healthcare. The goal was to achieve economic self-sufficiency within five years.

To generate income, the charity seized the opportunity to acquire land suitable for coffee cultivation, leading to the birth of Kinini. Since then, 10% of the price importers pay for Kinini’s coffee has been donated to A New Beginning Rwanda.

Rusiga, Rulindo, Northen Province

1800 - 25000 m.a.s.l.

Washed Bourbon Mayaguez and Jackson