We doubt you have previously tasted a coffee with this flavor profile. However, the story comes first.
Hate. How many crimes against humanity have come from this? How many millions have died? In 1994, Rwanda was the international face of hate. Genocide nearly destroyed this African nation. Nearly one million ethnic Tutsi and moderate Hutu were murdered in just 100 days.
After the civil war, the government called upon the church to lead in reconciliation. The church responded and Rwanda is healing at an increasingly rapid pace. Coffee is playing a leading role. Parts of Rwanda are exceptionally well suited to growing coffee. And, women are in the forefront. The civil war left a population of 70% women and 30% men. Female entrepreneurs are springing up in thousands of tiny businesses. Coffee is just one.
O'Henry's teamed with an organization working in Bukonya that oversees the coffee beans from field to harvest to processing....all the way to the USA. The superb beans and a supportive distribution channel allow high prices being paid to the farmers. The "middlemen" do not participate in this supply chain like most coffees. The extra profits get poured right back into the communities. It's a unique business model.
Now, the flavor profile. We tried roasting the beans at three different levels: light, medium and medium dark. The light won out and here's why. The longer you roast coffee beans the less you will taste of the high notes (bright, crisp, fruity, etc.). The body (viscosity) of the coffee generally increases. It's not right or wrong. It's whatever tingles your taste buds. Bukonya is tangy, a little tart and downright snappy. See if this doesn't un-wrinkle your pajamas in the morning.
We have 280 pounds between our five locations. Let us know if we should consider it again.
