Rwanda Sholi Natural

We are extremely proud to present this Fair Trade specialty coffee from one of our most cherished partnerships in Rwanda. The Abateraninkunga ba Sholi cooperative, meaning “mutual assistance,” was founded in 2008 by 30 women and officially recognized in 2013. By 2014, they had secured funding to build their own washing station and received Fair Trade certification in 2015. Today, the cooperative encompasses 400 farms, three washing stations, and 619 members, including 241 women.

In 2016, with the nearest large health facility over 18 km away on poor roads, the cooperative received a grant to build a community and health center to serve its members and local residents. This center provides basic healthcare and education on nutrition, cooking, and gardening to combat childhood malnutrition.

For their natural processed coffees, Sholi selects and identifies the highest-quality cherries that arrive at the central washing station. The cherries are sorted again, floated, and moved to the drying tables. After three or four days, they cover the dried cherries for 24-30 hours to develop the flavor. The cherries are monitored and continue to dry for up to 30-35 days depending on the weather.

This coffee offers sweet, bright notes of raisin, rhubarb, and black tea.