Rwanda Nyamasheke Karstru

Cup Score: 89.1

Origin: Rwanda – Nyamasheke, Karambi
Producer: Smallholder farmers, Karambi Washing Station
Variety: Bourbon, Jackson, Mbirizi
Processing: Wet Process (Fully Washed)
Harvest Time: March – June
Altitude: 1,700 – 2,000 masl

Tasting Notes: Maple Syrup, Dulce de Leche, Buckwheat

Karambi – A Gem by Lake Kivu

Tucked away in Rwanda’s Nyamasheke district, near the shimmering shores of Lake Kivu, the Karambi Washing Station is a beacon of quality in one of Africa’s most dynamic coffee-growing regions. Situated at 1,700 meters above sea level, with coffee cultivated on the surrounding mountainsides reaching up to 2,000 meters, Karambi benefits from a terroir that’s nothing short of extraordinary. The high altitude, volcanic soils, and cool, misty microclimate create the perfect conditions for growing complex, vibrant coffees that sing with sweetness and clarity.

This wet-processed lot, crafted with meticulous care, showcases the best of what Rwanda has to offer. Smallholder farmers, many of whom also work at the station, deliver their cherries to Karambi, where rigorous quality control begins. Underripe cherries are floated out in water tanks, and the densest seeds are sorted with precision to ensure only the finest make it into the A1 grade. The result is a coffee that’s clean, layered, and utterly captivating.

The Coffee – A Symphony of Sweetness and Spice

The dry fragrance of this coffee, particularly at City to City+ roasts, offers a sturdy, almost understated sweetness—clean and promising, but only hinting at what’s to come. Break the crust, and the wet aroma explodes with complexity: rich dulce de leche caramels, fragrant baking spices, and a tea-like elegance weave together with a sweet-savory dance of malted grains and raw sugars. It’s an invitation to lean in closer.

In the cup, this coffee unfurls like a story. City roasts are where it truly shines, delivering a bright, lively acidity that teeters delightfully between zesty lemon juice and aromatic lemongrass tea. The sweetness starts as brown sugar, then evolves into a honey-wheat graham cracker note, with layers of maple syrup and nutty buckwheat rounding out the profile. A whisper of five-spice in the aroma adds intrigue, making every sip feel like a discovery. Push it to a Full City roast, and the profile shifts toward a bittersweet spiced Mexican cocoa, rich and comforting, though the lighter roasts stole my heart for their vibrant clarity.

What is Wet Process Coffee?

In Rwanda, wet-processed (or “fully washed”) coffee involves pulping the coffee cherries to remove the outer skin, fermenting the beans to break down the mucilage, and then washing them to reveal the clean, bright seed. This method, used for this Karambi lot, emphasizes the coffee’s inherent flavors—bright acidity, clean sweetness, and delicate complexity—free from the heavier fruit notes of natural or honey processes. At Karambi, this process is paired with intensive sorting to ensure only the densest, most flavorful seeds make the grade.

Rwanda’s Coffee Renaissance

Rwanda’s coffee industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades. Introduced in the early 20th century, coffee became a cornerstone of the economy, but it was often overshadowed by larger producers. Today, stations like Karambi are elevating Rwanda’s reputation with a focus on quality and sustainability. The volcanic soils, high altitudes, and temperate climate of Nyamasheke create ideal conditions for Arabica varieties like Bourbon, Jackson, and Mbirizi. Slow-ripening cherries at these elevations yield beans with exceptional depth, balancing bright citrus with rich, sugary sweetness.

Karambi’s commitment to quality—through meticulous sorting, varied processing methods (wet, honey, and natural), and support for smallholder farmers—has made it a rising star in specialty coffee. With natural-processed lots also in the pipeline for early summer, there’s more to look forward to from this remarkable station.

This coffee is a testament to Rwanda’s potential: vibrant, complex, and endlessly engaging. Brew it with care, and let it tell its story.