Rwanda, Sholi

Expect notes of Watermelon, Pink Apple, Raspberry Coulis.

The Sholi co-operative’s name comes from a local term “abateraninkunga ba sholi” which translates to mutual assistance. This value is at their core, a drive to work together to enrich the community—Sholi has helped to build health clinics in their remote region for everyone to use. For their members, Sholi has focused on expanding yields by planting coffee trees which have now surpassed the 400,000 mark. We chose to work with Sholi not only because we want to roast incredible coffee, but because we want to support people who are making a difference.

The story of Rwandan coffee is one of the great success stories in the world of coffee. After the horrific genocide of 1994, the new government focused on developing the country not only economically but also socially towards gender equality and meritocracy. Coffee became a tool to achieve both these goals. A program was created which planted the same cultivar, red Bourbon, across the country. This was paired with farming education and the funding of co-operatives. These co-operatives embodied the new ethos of the nation with women, who previously were rarely free to hold employment or power, assuming leadership roles. Now Rwandan coffee is entering its next stage, with the most progressive producers experimenting and creating coffees completely unique to them—just like this lot from Sholi.