Rwanda | Dukunde Kawa Cooperative, Mbilima Organic – Red Bourbon
Well-structured, clean, and balanced.
A classic washed profile with bright citrus, juicy grape sweetness, and a soft chocolate finish.
Flavour: Mandarin · Red Grape · Milk Chocolate
Process: Washed
 
Coffee Details
Washing Station: Mbilima
Cooperative: Dukunde Kawa
Variety: Red Bourbon
Elevation: 2,070 MASL
Sector: Coko
District: Gakenke
Province: Northern Province
Country: Rwanda
Contributing Farmers: 20 smallholder producers
 
Origin Story
This coffee is processed at Mbilima, the highest washing station operated by Dukunde Kawa Cooperative, located in Rwanda’s Northern Province. Sitting at 2,070 metres above sea level, Mbilima is known for producing exceptionally clean and balanced washed coffees.
The coffee is sourced from 20 smallholder farmers who follow organic practices. Farms in this region are typically very small, with production focused on quality rather than volume. Coffee trees are grown alongside subsistence crops such as maize and beans, supporting both biodiversity and household food security.
 
Why does this coffee taste so clean and balanced?
At Mbilima, cherries are carefully hand-selected and sorted before pulping. The coffee undergoes washed processing with controlled fermentation, followed by meticulous hand-sorting — much of which is carried out by women — to remove defects and ensure consistency.
Drying takes place on raised beds under close supervision, protecting the coffee from harsh sunlight and allowing flavours to develop slowly and evenly. This careful approach results in a cup that is well-structured, vibrant, and sweet, with clarity that highlights Rwanda’s terroir.