Rwanda Muraho Red Bourbon Natural

GrainPro package 60 kg

🌋 Region and terroir

On the forested slopes of Rwanda's Western Province, near the tranquil shores of Lake Kivu, lies Cyesha Coffee Washing Station – a new chapter in the story of Rwandan fine coffee.
The station is located in Nyamasheke District, specifically in the Macuba sector, known for its exceptional biodiversity and altitude between 1,450 and 1,750 meters.
The area benefits from the microclimate of Lake Kivu: cool winds, regular rainfall and plenty of sunshine create ideal conditions for the slow, even drying of natural coffees. The soils are predominantly sandy and rocky, which complicates water management but also contributes to the unique character of the coffee grown.

☕ The story of the Muraho project

Cyesha Station is operated by Muraho Trading Co., founded by brothers Karthick and Gaudam Anbalagan. Both grew up in Uganda, were educated in New Zealand, and returned to Rwanda with the goal of raising the profile of Rwandan coffee.
When they founded Muraho in 2016, Rwanda still had a reputation for inconsistent quality and frequent “potato defects.” The brothers set out to change that—they were the first company in the country to obtain a license to export natural and honey-processed coffees. Today, Muraho is a pioneer in innovative processing methods and a symbol of Rwandan coffee’s newfound confidence.

“When we started, no one thought of Rwanda as a country of fine coffee. Today, our farmers and team are proving how far we have come – we are introducing new processes, discovering more complex flavor profiles, and the world is embracing them with enthusiasm,”
— Gaudam Anbalagan, co-founder of Muraho

🌱 Processing and harvesting

Cyesha works with approximately 470 smallholder farmers who supply their red cherries during the harvest season from March to May.
The station processes coffee using three methods: fully washed, honey and natural.
It is equipped with modern Penagos Ecoline technology, two water tanks and 54 raised drying beds.
In natural processing, the cherries are dried slowly under the natural airflow from Lake Kivu, ensuring even fermentation and a pure flavor profile.

🍌 Cultivation and agroforestry

Due to sandy soils with limited water retention capacity, local farmers have adapted to a specific agroforestry system.
Coffee trees are grown in combination with banana trees, which provide shade, retain moisture, and also serve as food and a supplementary source of income.
Muraho also plants shade trees as part of its climate-responsible program – in 2024, it distributed more than 11,000 of them across its stations in Nyamasheke, including 2,280 directly in Cyeshe.

👥 People and social impact

Muraho creates job opportunities all year round – key employees (managers, cashiers, machine operators) have permanent contracts and health insurance for families as well.
During the harvest, over 100 workers work at the station daily, bringing vital income to local communities.
The company also offers microloans and support for personal development projects of its employees.

Flavor profile : Blueberry jam, mango, flowers, dessert wine, chocolate

Country of origin : Rwanda

Region : Macuba / Nyamasheke

Farm : Cyesha Washing Station

Farmer : 470 smallholders

Altitude : 1450-1750 m above sea level

Variety : Red Bourbon

Processing : Natural

Cupping Score : 86.5

Crop: 24/25