Tasting Notes: Currant, Blueberry, Sugar

Variety: Bourbon

Processing: Washed

Origin: Kayanza, Burundi

Producers: Salum Ramadhan

Altitude: 1800m

This juicy and delicious coffee comes to us from the Shembati washing station in Kayanza, Burundi. Salum Ramadhan, the owner of several washing stations in Kayanza, built the washing station in 2016 after rule changes in Burundi required coffees to be processed closer to where they are grown. Salum had been receiving coffee cherry from Shembati small-holders at his other processing facilities and was so impressed with the quality that he built the station in Shembati just to keep producing their coffee. Now, the Shembati washing station processes about 700 tons of cherry each season and is experimenting with different shade drying procedures as well as honey and natural production.

Shembati #1 is a fully washed lot of bourbon beans that exudes fresh berry flavors. We taste a great, crisp black currant note that provides some tartness, along with a super juicy blueberry flavor that rivals the characteristic blueberry taste that some Kenyans and Ethiopians are famous for. A mellow brown sugar note contributes a bit of sweetness without pushing things over-the-top, creating an all-around tasty cup that strikes a great balance between bold flavors and smooth drinkability. In our experience, you'll want to brew more of this one than you think, it's all too easy to go for a second cup. Enjoy!