Spring is finally on the horizon, and we have a Rwandan roast that is ready to match the mood.

This is Kirunga - meaning "Volcano" - and it comes straight from the Mbare washing station in Rwanda’s Southern Province. Grown in rich volcanic soils at 1,800 meters, this is a washed Red Bourbon that reflects serious terroir. It delivers the kind of depth and clarity you only get from high-altitude African coffees.

In the cup, this delivers a deep, resinous sweetness that sticks around. Expect rich notes of cola and molasses, backed up by a layer of raisin and dried fruits. It has a clean, structured finish that makes it seriously satisfying.

But this bean has real backbone too. Rwamatamu is a family-run operation founded in 2015 by Laetitia Mukantwaza and Gaston Rutaganda. They aren't just buying cherries; they are building a future. In Mbare, they run a Youth Association for locals aged 18-35, training the next generation of farmers to ensure skills - and incomes - stay in the valley.

The results speak for themselves. In the 2025 'Best of Rwanda' competition, Rwamatamu’s Mbare lot didn't just place - it stormed the podium. Scoring an impressive 90.81, it took second place and was the only washed coffee in the top 14.

Great coffee. Real impact.