Description
Burundi is best known as the “Land of A Thousand Hills”. High plateaus dominate the landscape. The plateaus form a unique shape of “rolling” mountains. These green slopes are not only home to some of Burundi’s finest coffee trees, but also to elephants, hippos, buffalos and crocodiles. Despite these natural beauties, Burundi remains one of the poorest countries with globally the largest share of rural population. In 2013, Ben and Kristy Carlson decided to make this place also their home and founded the Long Miles Coffee Estate. Inspired by the potential of creating better living conditions for the communities through improved coffee cultivation, they gathered smallholder coffee farmers and started building their first washing station. Nowadays, they work together with more than 5,000 and have built several wet mills. Gatukuza washing station, however, belongs to their neighbor Therence Nduwayezu and had already been built in 2008. Therence is a general trader and had started in coffee business when reselling on the local markets. Knowing about the remoteness of some of the affiliated coffee farms, he set up strategic collection spots to shorten the ways for the farmers. Before harvest season, they register at the washing station and receive a unique code. Upon delivery of the cherries, the code is recorded and confirms the delivery to ensure correct payment when due. After processing the coffees are marketed under the Long Miles Coffee Estate stating the coffees as part of the strong network that can be considered unique in Burundi. Have yourself a sip of these delicious coffees and enjoy their story!
Cup Profile: Very pleasant balanced redcurrant fruity acidity, brilliant floral notes with juicy tropical fruits.
