Burundi Incuti

We’ve sourced this from our friends at JNP Coffee - a Burundi specific exporter founded by Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian who was raised in Burundi’s capital city Bujumbura. All of JNPs coffees are heirloom Bourbon, with sub-varietals Jackson and Mibirizi varieties and grown at 1,900 masl. Rainfall is roughly 1,200 millimeters (47 inches) per year, ideal for growing coffee in the volcanic soil of this region. All coffees from Burundi are small production micro-lots. Many are heritage coffees from plants with no genetic modification, often growing in the shade of banana trees, among cassava plants, corn, beans, and tea.

This year we’ve chosen the lot from Incuti which is grown by a group of small-holding farmers in Kayanza Province, an area famous for its excellent coffees. The conditions in this region are perfect for producing distinctly high quality coffees and JNP Coffee works with an experienced group of farmers. These farmers collaborate enthusiastically with the JNP Q-grader when she visits their farms, understanding that quality can mean empowerment. Incuti means “friend” in Kirundi and this lot was born out of a friendship forged at a past years’ Burundi Cup of Excellence competition. That year, the coffee from Incuti was entered and won the COE! After meeting some of these farmers, they joined the roster of partners selling cherry to JNP because of the premiums paid to farmers. This is called the ‘Dushime’ program - it means “Let’s be thankful” in Kirundi and this program provides a second payment to the farmers from the premiums over market price these coffees receive once sold.

We are really enjoying this coffee as both filter and as single origin espresso! The prominent notes are tart citrus like mandarin orange and key lime, sweet with a little baking spice like cola, brown sugar, and a subtle but distinct minty/ herbaceous note in the finish that ties it all together.