If you love sweet and juicy coffees from Africa, Rwanda GASHARU RUGORI by Friedhats will be exactly your cup of espresso. This washed bourbon from the Nyamasheke region of western Rwanda has everything you'd expect from an African coffee: high sweetness, beautifully rounded acidity and a subtle, tea-like floral aftertaste. The flavours include wild berries, dates, green apple and herbal undertones. An espresso that is as elegant as the crown from which it takes its name - Rugori.
The coffee comes from the Gasharu station , run by Valentin from the family-run Gasharu Coffee. Over 1,650 small growers from the Macuba region are involved in the processing, growing coffee trees at altitudes of up to 2,100 metres above sea level. It is this high altitude location, together with the rich soil and careful selection of ripe cherries, that gives rise to distinctive and clean profiles that are perfect for espresso. Friedhats has worked with Gasharu for several years and Rugori is a great example of why they return to Rwanda regularly.
The fully washed processing is perfected here. The hand-picking and selection of the cherries is followed by fermentation in water tanks, careful washing and slow drying on African beds. The result is a coffee with a clean expression, fine texture and bright fruit character. Compared to Kenyan coffees, Rwanda tends to be slightly less 'garish', but creamier, smoother and more approachable. Gasharu Rugori is a great choice if you want an espresso that is modern, juicy and yet beautifully balanced.
- Altitude: 1600 - 2100 m above sea level.