Rwanda Ubuntu Coffee Ngororero Super Washed

Producer: Wilden Pretorius

Origin: Ngororero Washing Station, Nyamagabe, Rwanda

Varietal: Red Bourbon

Elevation: 1800 masl

Process: Super Washed

Dongze's Notes: Cane Sugar, Lemongrass, Oolong Tea

Wilden has been a good friend of mine who used to work at Archers Coffee in the UAE. Through him, I was able to source some of the best coffees I offered last year and this year like the Gato Grande and the Los Lajones Geshas. This year, Wilden has moved towards the next chapter of his coffee journey as he moved to Rwanda and started a brand new coffee company and processing station - Ubuntu Coffee Co.

Ubuntu, a word quite familiar to a person in tech like me, actually means "humanity", and beyond the translation of the word, it actually means "I am because we are". The symbol of collectiveness, sharing, and interconnectedness between individuals is the Ubuntu philosophy. Wilden founded Ubuntu Coffee wanting to push the boundaries of Rwandan coffee, spend more time improving the processing techniques, and build more connection with roasters around to world to get the feedback loop going.

This year is his first harvest / processing batch and we were able to source two interesting lots. The Ngororero Super Washed is a washed processed Red Bourbon with an anaerobic fermentation stage upfront that drastically increases the sweetness in the cup. In the cup I find very sweet notes - like cane sugar, and maybe some honey. It's also very pleasantly acidic and has a very nice tea-like body to it.

This coffee also won 2nd place of Best of Rwanda's Special Process category.