Burundi — Nyankurazo

This coffee comes from the Nyankurazo community in Ngozi Province, northern Burundi, and was sourced through our long-standing partnership with Jake Smith and Homage Coffee Source. Now in our third year working together, these relationships continue to make it possible to source coffees that are both deeply traceable and meaningfully supportive of the producers behind them.

The name Ngozi translates to “blessing” in the Kirundi language, an apt reflection of the role coffee plays in this region. Burundi is among the most coffee-dependent countries in the world by percentage of GDP, and income from coffee remains central to the livelihoods of rural families. Through direct trade, we are able to pay well above industry standards, helping ensure stability and long-term sustainability for producers.

This lot includes coffee grown by Pierre Nzeyimana and his three sons, producers whose coffees we have sourced multiple times over the years. Their work has consistently stood out for its clarity and balance, including a Burundi natural from 2020 that remains one of the most memorable coffees we have ever roasted. We continue to return to Pierre’s coffees year after year because of their reliability, care, and quality.

Nyankurazo is processed as a washed coffee at the Nkanda Washing Station, a method that emphasizes brightness, structure, and transparency in the cup. Grown at elevations between 1,700 and 1,900 meters, this Red Bourbon lot captures everything we value in washed African coffees—vibrant acidity, layered sweetness, and a clean finish.

In the Cup

Pineapple Juice

A lively, tropical acidity leads the cup, with tart and juicy pineapple character that brings immediate freshness.

Cola

As the coffee opens, sweetness deepens into a syrupy cola-like note, adding body and effervescence without heaviness.

Oatmeal Cookie

The finish is warm and comforting, with gentle baking spices and sugar sweetness reminiscent of a freshly baked oatmeal cookie.

Nyankurazo is a bright, expressive washed coffee that reflects both place and partnership—an enduring example of why Burundi continues to be one of the most compelling origins we source.

Profile

• Roast: Light

• Region: Nyankurazo Community, Ngozi Province, Burundi

• Farm/Community: Smallholder farms near Nyankurazo

• Processing Station: Nkanda Washing Station

• Process: Washed

• Elevation: 1,700–1,900m

• Variety: Red Bourbon

• Cup: Pineapple Juice, Cola, Oatmeal Cookie