
Muraho trading co.
This is our sixth year working with renowned Rwandan producers Muraho Trading Co. The coffees that they produce are quite simply some of the best Rwandan lots we have tasted at La Cabra, and Gaudam and Carthick Anbalagan, the brothers that run the project, are among the most innovative producers in the country
Shyira
The Shyira Coffee Washing Station (CWS) is the highest altitude of the Muraho stations, located in the northern Nyabihu district. Shyira’s remote location also means it is the smallest station; a big driver in the decision to build here was the greater impact that Muraho could have on the very rural population. Here, their genuine drive for social change led to a focus on access to speciality coffee knowledge, and importantly pricing. Over several harvests now, Shyira has consistently produced our favourite lots out of Rwanda. The weather conditions here are perfect for both production and processing, the volcanic soils are healthy, and of course the high altitude leads to slow maturing, sugar-rich cherries.
48 hr Anaerobic
This is only the second year we have been able to purchase an anaerobic lot from Shyira. Cherries were fermented under a tight plastic sheet, with water poured on top in order to ensure a seal and maintain anaerobic conditions. Using water as a seal means that any oxygen present is allowed to escape, but cannot reenter the fermentation tank. After 48 hours, the plastic sheeting was pierced, allowing the water to flow over the cherries, cooling them and slowing the fermentation. The cherries were then spread out under the sun, drying them to a point where fermentation is stopped, before gradually building deeper layers in order to slow down the overall drying time to around 35 days. This leads to a rich flavour profile, driven by complex jammy berries and soft florals, while maintaining the crisp citric acidity inherent in all coffees from Shyira.