This fruity number is Elsewhere’s very first from DR Congo and it’s an instant standout.

These coffee beans come from Virunga Coffee Company’s Kahondo Washing Station, part of importer Covoya’s efforts to bring coffee from the DR Congo to the specialty market. Their impact at Virunga’s 9 washing stations has increased high quality production by training farmers in good agronomic practice- helping smallholders in the region generate better profits.

While the region around Lake Kivu and the Virunga National Park has excellent coffee growing conditions, it is also stricken by poverty and conflict, and the infrastructural challenges that come with this make transport and export difficult. Virunga Coffee Co’s hands-on investments have seen improvements in farmer premiums season on season, so we’ll hopefully be seeing plenty more in the future.

This washed lot is juicy and complex, with goji berry and apricot tasting notes standing out against a molasses finish.