The Kilimbi washing station is located on a small island inside Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes. Though its topography and elevation make it an ideal location for processing and drying coffee, the island itself means all coffee must be taken by boat to the mainland once ready for export. Kilimbi isn’t the biggest of the Nyamasheke region’s washing stations, producing only around 500 bags a year of various styles. Despite its modest size, Kilimbi is a great example of the added value that a great station team can have, combining precise and consistent processing with a fair and transparent pricing model.

The approximately 150 farmers delivering cherry to Kilimbi are paid well above the average rate of the rest of the country. For farmers, for whom coffee is typically only a small enterprise in Rwanda, increased profit encourages ongoing care for their coffee trees. The success of Kilimbi is the result of efforts from both the farmers and the station staff, who diligently work to enhance and protect the best flavour in the coffees the farmers grow.

We are always impressed by the clean, elegant coffees we taste from Kilimbi and are proud to share this lot with our friends here in the UK and beyond.

  Caravan Coffee Roasters are proud members of 1% for the Planet. For more information please visit https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

BREWING GUIDE 

Notes of juicy tangerine and black forest fruits come together to complement a dark brown sugar sweetness – and all these flavours shine brightest on pour over. Try a brew ratio of 1 part coffee to 17 parts water to highlight its elegant acidity, using fresh filtered water right off boil. For more brewing tips and tricks, visit our Brew Guides.