Rwanda Sholi Microlot

From the highlands of Rwanda’s Muhanga District in Southern Province, this exceptional microlot showcases the remarkable dedication of the Abateraninkunga ba Sholi Cooperative. Grown at 1,918 meters on the slopes of Gitima Mountain, this fully washed Bourbon variety delivers a clean, tea-like body with vibrant, bright acidity and distinctive notes of lemongrass tea, passion fruit, and vanilla.

The Abateraninkunga ba Sholi Cooperative—whose name beautifully translates to “mutual assistance”—began as a vision of 30 women in 2008 and has since grown to include over 600 members managing multiple washing stations. This particular microlot represents the cooperative’s commitment to quality, featuring carefully selected cherries that undergo meticulous processing to preserve their inherent characteristics.

What makes this coffee truly exceptional is its distinctive growing environment. The coffee trees thrive under native shade species like Polycious fulva and Ficus, alongside fruit trees and surrounded by beekeeping operations that enhance both the coffee’s flavor complexity and the sustainability of the farming system. This lot demonstrates the remarkable potential of Rwandan coffee when cultivated with precision and care.

Each sip tells the story of the 32 smallholder farmers (including 14 women and 8 young farmers under 35) who tend to these coffee trees, applying sustainable agricultural practices while receiving fair compensation and community support through the cooperative structure. This Rwanda Sholi Microlot exemplifies our commitment to partnerships that benefit both coffee quality and producer well-being.