Rwanda
Sovu
Maraba co-op
Huye mountain
1700-2200 masl
Bourbon
Washed
Orange, hibiscus, and caramel.
In the cup: A sophisticated espresso that draws you in with florals of red flowers and tea. A medium body unveils a sweet caramel middle before transitioning to leatherwood honey, and a Rooibos tea linger.
“Together we work the coffee”: Sometimes, when we drink our morning coffee, it’s easy to get a little distracted. The sheer joy and deliciousness in the cup can easily remove us from something we often try to remind ourselves of at Pillar: That coffee is a reflection of the place, people, and time in which it is produced. In its native Kinyarwanda language, Maraba is called Abahuzamugambi Ba Kawa, which translates to ‘Together we work the coffee’. This may sound like a “nice slogan”, but a quick look at Marabas history reveals it to be so much more.
Behind the cup: In 1994 civil war and genocide tore through Rwanda, cleaving an already fragile division into two very broken and seemingly irreconcilable parts. Much of Rwanda is still dealing with the aftermath of this horror daily. These scars will never fully heal, but with effort and initiatives like the Maraba Cooperative, we are seeing new paths being formed. A path leading to hope and possibility. The Sovu washing station under the Maraba co-op umbrella successfully supports its members with financial management workshops, agronomy training, and access to affordable farming tools and organic fertilizers.
More than coffee: Support extends far beyond coffee production, with members being offered access to several services, including financial support for school fees, health services, and loan facilities for housing and farming equipment. Things really are looking better every day. Not only will a sip of this spro leave you feeling good, it also tastes really, really good!
Where does it come from?: This Rwandan Microlot comes to us from high in the green hills of the Huye Mountain supported by naturally occurring rich and fertile volcanic soil.
Awards: The Sovu washing station has constantly ranked among the best coffees in the Cup of Excellence, winning the national competition five times since its inception in 2008.