We all have our own stories of how we slipped into severe coffee addiction. For many people, it all begins in Africa. After all, Karen Blixen had a coffee farm in Africa, not some Danish potato farm. The continent is one of the biggest exporters of coffee into Europe and Americas, however, African countries do not really make it to the rankings of highest coffee consumption per capita, save for Algeria and Tunisia. Strangely enough, all of Kenyas finest coffeegoes for export, and not much of it is left for internal use. Tanzanias coffee is, mildly speaking, garbage. Ugandan coffee is justOK. But there are other Eastern African countries that have hit the nail on the head when it comes to producing stellar coffee.
Rwandan coffee
Rwanda is one country that knows its coffee. Itscoffee is exclusively Arabica, grown at high altitudes and on the blue banks of Lake Kivu, which makes sensesince Rwanda is known in the region as theLand of a Thousand Hills. The harvest happens from March to July, during the rainy season. The beans are wet-processed, and cooperatives operating in the country allow the coffee to be distributed within Rwanda and overseas, providing stable income to the farmers.
In fact, Rwandas improving coffee production sprung after the tragedies of 1994 genocide, with the need to rebuild countrys economy and international reputation. Rwanda had grown coffee in colonial times as well, butthe early 2000s marked the growth in production of premium coffee, suitable and beloved on the global market due to its mild acidity and smooth taste.
Bourbon Coffee: Rwanda’s biggest coffee chain
Rwanda’sbiggest coffee chain,Bourbon Coffee, opened in 2007, with the aim to make large impact on the local coffee production and bring profitable business to the coffee farmers of Rwanda. The ample modern cafeterias are scattered over Kigali and provide free WiFi and wide range of hot and cold coffee beverages with the use of Rwandas best dark roast. Strictly-speaking, this is where Kigali began for me: on the terrace of Bourbon Coffee. Whether it is the altitude, the volcanic mineral-rich soils, or the generous rains of theLand of a Thousand Hills, but around a decade ago, British companyMeantime Breweryeven chose Rwandan coffee beans to produce the first coffee beer.
The velvety taste with vanilla and chocolate hints made Rwandan coffee most suitable for their4% alcoholic beverage, which proudly carries theFair Trade logo.
The best coffee in Africa
In case you were wondering, the best coffee in Africa is inEthiopia. Ethiopia is probably the motherland of coffee, and society here went sofar as to establisha whole coffee ceremony, during which you can watch your coffee being prepared in a traditional jebena pot, clouded in smoke of burning incense. Ethiopian coffee is strong, witharomatic, earthy tones, and once you try it, you’ll understand why it reigns supreme.
