Umoco

Description

Grown high in the hills of northern Burundi, near the Rwanda border and Kibira National Park, this washed coffee comes from the small town of Remera, where coffee is cultivated by multiple smallholder producers on farms typically measuring just 1–2 hectares.

The farms in Remera are mostly unshaded and traditionally managed without commercial fertilizers. Instead, farmers rely on the surrounding food crops — including bananas, maize, cassava, and beans — to help replenish and support the soil. During harvest, coffee cherries are hand-picked at peak ripeness through multiple passes, ensuring that only the best fruit makes its way forward.

After harvest, the cherries are transported by foot or bicycle to the Umoco Washing Station in Kayanza, nearly an hour east of Remera. There, the coffee undergoes a careful two-stage fermentation process: 12 hours of wet fermentation followed by 12 hours of dry fermentation in cement tanks. The coffee is then dried slowly for 20–25 days on raised beds, allowing clarity, sweetness, and structure to fully develop.

In the cup, this coffee is beautifully balanced, with exceptional body, gentle acidity, layered sweetness, and a smooth, rounded mouthfeel. On the cupping table, we found notes of tangerine, plum jam, and black tea — a vibrant yet comforting profile that works beautifully across a wide range of brew methods.

We are grateful to our friends at Red Fox Coffee Merchants for sourcing this exceptional coffee and helping us bring it to you. We hope you love it as much as we do.

Detail Summary

Origin: Remera, Burundi

Region: Northern Burundi, near the Rwanda border and Kibira National Park

Farm(s): Multiple smallholder farms

Producer(s): Multiple producers

Washing Station: Umoco Washing Station, Kayanza

Altitude: 1,850–2,100 masl

Variety: Various

Process: Washed

Fermentation: 12-hour wet fermentation followed by 12-hour dry fermentation

Drying: 20–25 days on raised beds

Tasting Notes: Tangerine, plum jam, black tea

Cup Profile: Full body, balanced acidity, layered sweetness, smooth mouthfeel

Recommended Brew Methods: Versatile; excellent for pour-over, drip, French press, AeroPress, and espresso-style brewing

Text from Plowshares' listing.