Gitega Hills

Just 12km from neighbouring Bwenda in the Cyanika sector and slightly higher up, adjacent to a disused quartz quarry, sits Gitega Hills. Slightly larger than Bwenda, Gitega covers an area of around 6 hectares and is near the small town of Miko. Gitega is the name of the surrounding land cell. A cell is a smaller area within a larger sector, within a larger region or province.

Established by RTC in 2016, the station has been managed since then by Alex. Everyone who works at Gitega is from the local community and Alex feels that the station plays a valuable and positive role in the area for the work it provides. The good rainfall the area experienced during the harvest pointed to great quality for the 2022 season’s yields. Gitega employs 150 people including 11 permanently, with the rest being seasonal workers. 90% are women. 1040 farmers contribute cherry to Gitega’s annual production and in 2016 they processed 400 tons of cherry.

Roasters Notes:

This beautiful coffee is another fine example of what Rwanda can produce. The Red Bourbon beans are of excellent quality and in the cup gave me notes of vanilla, blackberry and milk chocolate with a hint of spice. My favourite coffee of 2023 so far.