Rwanda - KCRS - Women Cooperative - Washed

Rwanda is blessed with ideal coffee growing conditions that include high altitude, regular rainfall, and volcanic soils with good organic structure. The vast majority of Rwandan coffee is produced by smallholders of which there are thought to be around half a million, they often have no more than just one hectare per family. Coffee is grown in most parts of the country, with particularly large concentrations along Lake Kivu and in the southern province. Rwandan smallholders organise themselves into cooperatives and share the services of centralised wet mills – or washing stations as they are known locally. Flowering takes place between September and October and the harvest runs from March to July, with shipments starting in late May or early June.

This coffee is produced by women farmers; there are some male members of the families but the women took over ownership and charge of the land. The support that a smallholder farmer often relies on has been found to flourish under this structure, and it is often now used as a methodology to help improve the coffee on a farm if an individual is struggling. We source the coffee through Kinini and Jacquie has been active in helping them organise themselves since some of the women supplied coffee to them. Jacquie supported the women with registering their cooperative, and they made 12 groups depending on which village they were near to help manage training and traveling. Jacquie said, "After all this was in place I promised them that I will market their coffee by the co-op name. These women are now coffee expert farmers".

Details Free Tracked 48 shipping in the UK when you spend over £30! Please see our FAQs for more information. Place your order before 10.30am, Monday to Friday and it will be sent the same day. No coffee leaves our roastery if it is more than 7 days from the roast date. Coffee ordered for Monday dispatch may be subject to delays depending on weekend ordering patterns and roasted stock levels.

We source speciality grade coffee which is fully traceable and ethically sourced. Read more about our ethics.

Tips All our coffee beans are roasted fresh and are best consumed within 6 weeks of roast date. Always reseal in our airtight bag and store at ambient temperature. 

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This lot from Rwanda's KCRS Women Cooperative represents the washed-process tradition, a method that typically emphasizes clarity and brightness by removing the cherry fruit before drying. Washed coffees tend to highlight the intrinsic character of the bean and terroir, offering a cleaner cup profile compared to natural or honey-processed alternatives. The cooperative model underscores a commitment to direct relationships and consistent quality standards.

Dear Green Coffee presents this Rwandan offering as part of their sourcing practice. For those new to coffee processing, understanding washed method provides useful context on how this approach shapes the final cup. Exploring the flavor wheel can help guide your tasting experience with this coffee's characteristics.