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In the cup: A soft and juicy texture with a flavour profile of black tea, sparkling florals and delicate vanilla.
Cupping score: 87
Mouthfeel: Juicy, elegant
Variety: Red Bourbon
Process: Fully washed
Producer: Muzo Washing Station
Altitude : 1600 - 2200 m.a.s.l.
Region: Northern Province
Background:
Muzo Washing Station takes its name from the sector where it was built and is operated by the Muzo Cooperative in partnership with Baho Coffee. Like most coffee producers in Rwanda, the farmers who deliver cherries to Muzo are smallholders. Many tend only a few hundred trees, often intercropped with staple foods such as maize and potatoes. Despite the modest scale of these farms, coffee remains the most important source of income for many families.
Recognizing the need to reward quality, Baho Coffee works closely with farmers to improve both cultivation and processing. The station provides seedlings to renew aging coffee trees, distributes protective equipment for safe farm work, and offers training on soil conservation, sanitation, and water management. Through Farmer Field Schools—small local groups of farmers led by a trained representative—producers share knowledge about sustainable farming and quality improvement.
During harvest, coffee cherries are carefully hand-picked by farmers and their families before being delivered to the station. At Muzo, every lot is meticulously sorted by hand and density-tested before processing begins. The cherries are pulped, dry-fermented for around 12 hours, then soaked and washed before passing through Baho’s detailed grading system, which separates beans into multiple quality tiers for maximum consistency.
Drying is equally deliberate. After an initial period in direct sunlight, parchment coffee is moved into shade for a slow, controlled drying phase that can last several weeks. Continuous sorting ensures that only the best beans remain in the final lot.
Founded in 2013 by coffee professional Rusatira Emmanuel, Baho Coffee focuses on quality, transparency, and community development. The company supports initiatives for women-led farming households, older farmers, and younger producers entering the industry. Through careful processing and strong relationships with farmers, coffees from Muzo express the vibrant clarity and sweetness that have made Rwanda one of the most celebrated origins in specialty coffee.