Cartwheel’s Rwandan coffee comes from Akagera Washing Station in Nyamasheke. The station services over 420 farmers in the lush hills that surround Lake Kivu on Rwanda’s western border. The smallholder farms here are nestled in forests at an altitude of 1500 and 2000 MASL, making for ideal coffee cultivation conditions.

Upon delivery to Akagera, this washed lot was sorted, floated and pulped, then fermented for 12 hours and fully washed before grading.

Akagera had previously struggled to access the specialty coffee market consistently, making the daily running of the station a major challenge. Baho Coffee saw potential in the quality of producers here and snapped it up in 2020, offering growers the security of high prices and Baho’s network of export opportunities.

We’re always grateful for stories like these, giving us the chance to try this fruity brew filled with nectarine and pear notes, that has a delicious syrupy quality in the mouth- perfect for a summery cup of filter coffee.