Compared with the attention that Ethiopian and Kenyan coffees receive, nearby Rwanda is overshadowed by comparison. Recently asked for recommendations of coffees from either of the former two countries, however, I was compelled to include a couple of Rwandan coffees in my list of favorites right now.
Known for similarly bright acidity from growing high on Rwanda’s many hillsides, but with more floral flavors and a balanced caramel sweetness that some experts consider superior to comparably grown coffees from around the region, here are five Rwandan roasts to try right now.
Dukunde Kawa Rwanda, Slate Coffee Roasters: A washed Red Bourbon coffee grown at a height of 2,000 meters, this particular coffee has won the Rwandan Cup of Excellence four different years. It shows off flavors of apricot, cherry, oolong tea and cola. || $14/9 oz
Rwanda Dukunde Kawa, Lone Pine Coffee Roasters: Family-run Lone Pine of Bend, Ore., roasts their Rwandan Dukunde Kawa coffee, resulting in similar flavors of apricot and cherry that are offset with chestnut cream. || $13/12 oz
Rwanda Karenge, Heart Roasters: Also fully washed and grown at a slightly lower altitude, Heart’s popular Rwandan single origin shows off flavors of dark fruit alongside bright citrus and black tea. || $18/12 oz
Rwanda Huye Mountain, Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Stumptown’s Rwandan offering includes an overnight fermentation prior to washing the coffee, with the finished beans boasting lime, banana and blood orange flavors. || $16.50/12 oz
Rwanda Musasa, Cravens Coffee: This Spokane roaster offers a massive variety of both single origin and blended coffees. This particular one is billed as showcasing an unexpected combination of lime and butterscotch. || $13/12 oz
