Rwanda Akagera – Cherry-Dried Green Coffee (1 kg)

Origin: Nyamasheke, Western Province
Producer: Small Farmers in Nyamasheke
Growing altitude: 1,600–2,000 meters above sea level
Varieties: Red Bourbon
Process: Berry-dried
Harvested: 2025

Rwanda has built its international reputation on clean, washed coffees—but it is in the sun-dried process that the country’s beans reveal a completely different side of themselves. The Akagera washing station in the Nyamasheke district specializes in precisely this, receiving cherries from smallholder farmers in the region who grow Red Bourbon at altitudes between 1,600 and 2,000 meters. Here, two elements that rarely come together meet: the cool, slow ripening that high altitude provides, and the intense fruity sweetness that only careful sun-drying can bring out. The result is a coffee in which Rwanda’s classic finesse is complemented by a depth of fruitiness that surprises those most accustomed to the country’s washed lots.

It is during the post-harvest processing that this batch truly stands out. After hand-picking only deep-red, fully ripe berries, they are sorted in water, where the heaviest and densest berries sink and are selected for further processing. They are then sun-dried —with the skin and pulp intact—on raised beds for a full 38 days. The berries are turned every four hours and protected from direct sunlight or rain until a stable moisture content of 12% is achieved. It is an exceptionally long and labor-intensive drying process, and it is precisely this drawn-out, controlled process that builds up the floral complexity and rich sweetness. The green coffee has excellent density and is best suited to a light roast, designed for pour-over and classic filter brewing, where every floral nuance has room to shine.

In the cup, this is a strikingly sweet and delicate coffee with rich floral notes. Bergamot opens the aroma profile, followed by jasmine and hibiscus, which together create an elegant floral bouquet. Blueberry adds a fresh, fruity dimension that elevates the overall profile and ties together the floral elegance with the depth of the natural process. A refined, well-balanced cup—a green coffee for the home roaster who wants to discover Rwanda from its berry-dried, blooming side.

This green coffee arrived at the roastery on May 11, 2026, and is from the 2025 harvest.