Rwanda - Cyiya - Washed Red Bourbon

Juicy and elegant notes of nectarine, pomegranate and black tea are complemented by a delicate jasmine aroma. 

Producer: Small-holder producers, Cyiya Central Washing Station

Region: Cyiya Village, Nyamasheke District, Western Provence, Rwanda

Elevation: 1,700 - 1,900 meters above sea level

Varietal: Red Bourbon

Harvest: Summer 2025

Process: Fully Washed

Sourcing Partner: Falcon Coffee

Agrton Gourmet Color: 102 (light)

Roasters Cupping Score: 86.75

Coffee Story

Grown in the Kirimbi sector of Rwanda’s Nyamasheke District, this washed lot was produced by 480 smallholding producers delivering cherry to the Cyiya washing station in the country’s Western Province. Coffee here is cultivated at an average altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level in mineral-rich, volcanic soils that provide both strong drainage and steady nutrient availability, contributing to the density and clarity found in the cup. Harvest runs from March through July, with cherry delivered daily to the station and processed within hours of picking to preserve freshness and structure.

At Cyiya, the coffee undergoes an intensive series of sorting and washing stages designed to emphasize transparency and consistency. Producers first remove underripe and defective cherry before delivery, followed by flotation sorting at intake. After pulping, the coffee ferments dry for 15 to 18 hours before being fully washed and soaked for an additional 15 to 20 hours. The parchment is then dried on raised beds for roughly two weeks, with further density separation and hand-sorting taking place throughout the drying process.

The resulting coffee is clean, juicy and complex with notes of nectarine, pomegranate and black tea and a delicate jasmine aroma.

Brew Guide

Hario V60 Dripper

This coffee is tasting best with a slightly wider brew ratio. We recommend starting with a 1:15 ratio and pushing it a bit more if more delicate florality is desired.

Recipe

Coffee: 25 grams

Grind size: 5.5 on the Fellow Ode (medium)

Water: 375 grams at 205˚F

Coffee to Water Ratio: 1:15

Brew Time: 3:00

Method

1.     Rinse filter

2.     Add ground coffee

3.     Start timer and saturate grounds with 50g, or so, of water.

4.     Let bloom 45 seconds to one minute.

5.     Slowly pour another 285g of water on the coffee, taking care to evenly saturate the grounds. You should end up with 335g of water poured by about 2:25.

6. Swirl brewer to ensure an even draw down of water through the bed of coffee.

7. After all water draws down, remove the brewer from your carafe.

8. Add 40 grams fresh, hot water to the carafe to dilute the brew to the proper strength.

9. Swirl the carafe once more to ensure the brew is homogenized.

10. Pour and enjoy!

Brew Guide

Aeropress Brewer

This intense aeropresso brew results in a very vibrant cup with strong citrus and floral notes and a full, silky body.

Recipe

Coffee: 16 grams

Grind size: 4 on the Fellow Ode (medium-fine)

Water: 200g at 200˚F

Coffee to Water Ratio: 1:12.5

Brew Time: 1:30

Method

1.     Rinse filter

2.    Invert aeropress and add ground coffee

3.     Start timer and saturate grounds with 50g water. Stir coffee slurry to ensure all of the grounds are saturated.

4.     Let bloom 30 seconds.

5.     Add another 100g water to the brewer and stir.

6. At 1:00 stir coffee again and screw filter onto top of brewer.

7. Flip brewer onto a carafe or cup and press the plunger slowly and evenly so that you have finished the press at 1:30.

8. Add 50g clean, hot water to the carafe or cup.

9. Stir or swirl to ensure your brew is properly mixed. Pour and enjoy.