When it came time to select something delicious from Rwanda for this year’s single-origin offerings, we were pleasantly surprised when the coffee selected as the sweetest, cleanest, most delicious coffee on the cupping table also supported a local tree rejuvenation initiative by RwaCof. For us, the Mushonyi Washing Station coffee was an easy choice—it’s the most delicious coffee that also benefits the producers, making it a win-win.
Coffee was introduced to Rwanda by German missionaries in the early 1900s, but large-scale production didn’t start until the 1930s and 1940s under Belgian rule. The Belgians made coffee cultivation mandatory for native Rwandans, resulting in low-quality coffee for export, with most profits leaving the country. After gaining independence in 1962, coffee remained important to Rwanda’s economy, becoming the largest export by 1970. Despite the 1994 genocide causing a collapse in coffee exports, Rwanda’s coffee industry has since recovered, partly due to government support and the establishment of over 300 Central Washing Stations (CWSs) to improve coffee quality.
These washing stations, inspired by the Kenya/Ethiopia model, have significantly increased the export value of Rwandan coffee. In cases where direct buying isn’t possible, trusted local organizations help export coffee, ensuring investment back into the community.