Sweet and crisp and floral, with notes of cola, chamomile and redcurrant.

  • Shyira, Nyabihu, Western Province
  • Rwanda
  • 1,850-2,300 MASL
  • Washed
  • Red Bourbon
  • Cola, Chamomile, Redcurrant

Origin Story

The Shyira washing station is located in the Nyabihu district of Rwanda's Western Province, and at 1,850 MASL it is reputedly the highest washing station in Rwanda.

Shyira is the third washing station established by the Muraho Trading Company (MTC) in January 2017, after similar projects at Kilimbi and Rugali in the Nyamasheke district. MTC was setup by brothers Karthick and Gaudam Anbalagam with the goal of showcasing the phenomenal quality of coffees that Rwanda has to offer.

The station receives cherry from farms all the way up to 2,300 MASL, and the result is some of the most complex and nuanced Rwandan coffees we have ever tasted. This washed red bourbon is sweet and crisp and floral, with notes of cola, chamomile and redcurrant.

The cherry is hand-sorted and floated to remove under-ripe and damaged cherries, before being pulped. It is then fermented for 12 hours in concrete tanks, during which time it is agitated by way of ceremonial foot-stomping (with accompanying song!) to clean any residual mucilage from the parchment. The coffee is then released into a large serpentine grading channel where it is washed and separated by density. It is then hand-sorted again to remove any insect damaged, discoloured and chipped coffee, before being laid out to dry on raised beds for 30 days, during which time it is turned regularly to ensure consistent drying.

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