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In the cup: Elegant, juicy and complex. A fantastic rund and smooth texture with flavour notes of lychee, milk chocolate and pear.
Cupping score: 87,5 points
Mouthfeel: Round, soft.
Variety: Red Bourbon
Process: Washed
Producer: Kibingo Tvättstation
Altitude: 1700 - 1900 metres over sea level
Region: Kayanza
Background:
The Kayanza province is one of the best coffee producing regions in Burundi. Located in the north of the country, it is renowned as the water source of the Nile River. During the season,
Variety: Bourbon
Bourbon is one of the more widely grown varieties of Arabica coffee. It's a natural mutation of the older 'Typica' variety and is prized for it's figgy sweetness and gentle brightness. It's balanced with a smooth texture and a sweet, just-right finish.
(Fun fact: the name 'Bourbon' originates from the Indian Ocean - when a cutting of 'Typica' coffee was planted and spontaneously mutated in the soil of Bourbon Island (nowadays called Réunion).
The Washing Station: Kibingo
The washing station was built in 1986, and currently collects coffee cherries from over 3,500 local farmers. It lies at an altitude of 1893 meters, close to the Congo-Nile Crest. The washing station is known for its wooden bridge that was built over the river that runs through it. The name 'Kibingo' comes from the Kirundi word urubingo which means 'reeds'. Reeds were planted along the river to contain the water and to prevent the surrounding soils from eroding.
Coffee in Burundi is mainly grown on small farms which do not process the cherry themselves, but rather, bring it to the local washing station. The best run stations pay more for quality cherry, meaning they are all fully ripe, well developed and brought from the farm rapidly to be immediately processed. This is perhaps most evident at Kibingo Washing Station, whose coffees have placed in the top 10 of the Cup of Excellence competition in 2017, 2015 and 2013, and won 1st Place in 2017.