Rwanda | The Thousand Hills

Across a thousand hills, 35,000 farmers craft one extraordinary cup. — Ember & Olive

£18.99

250g Whole Bean

£18.99

250g Ground Coffee

£43.99

1kg Whole Bean

£43.99

1kg Ground Coffee

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The Origin

Rwanda might be small, but the coffee that emerges from this landlocked African nation is nothing short of absolutely divine. Lacking a coastline, exporting from these soaring, landlocked highlands requires navigating immense economic hurdles—making every single lot a true triumph of determination. Across the endless, mist-shrouded ridges of this interior landscape, over 400,000 small-scale growers cultivate pure, premium Arabica, relying on high-altitude microclimates to shape what is universally considered a powerhouse of East African coffee excellence.

The People

This exceptional lot represents a monumental collective achievement, weaving together the meticulous harvests of 35,000 independent Rwandan farmers. Operating on small, terraced family plots suspended between 1,400 and 1,900 metres above sea level, these dedicated growers deliver their peak-ripeness cherries across a network of 40 regional washing stations. Once processed, the entire lot is unified at the Rwanda Trading Company in Kigali, where it undergoes a final, exhaustive regime of hulling, rigorous grading, and precise manual sorting by hand, ensuring unmatched clarity and consistency.

The Craft

Forged from the iconic Bourbon and Typica varietals, the harvested cherries are subjected to a meticulous Fully Washed process that completely strips away any trace of interference. The pristine mountain waters wash the dense seeds clean before they are slowly dried under the equitable African sun. To let this raw natural brilliance shine, the beans are precision-roasted to a delicate light-to-medium level. This targeted, restrained profile avoids heavy roasty tones, preserving the delicate organic structure of the beans and allowing the region's legendary brightness to erupt seamlessly in the cup.

The Sensory Anatomy

The first interaction is a beautifully balanced, aromatic tapestry—a crisp, fruit-forward fragrance that rises softly from the cup to tease the senses. On the palate, the coffee is elegantly structured, unfolding with an immediate, refined sweetness that balances beautifully across a smooth, medium body. A distinct, striking note of fresh, tart cranberries hits the mid-palate, imparting a sparkling, juicy acidity that structures without dominating. The experience finishes with extraordinary, mouth-cleansing neatness—a lingering, sweet berry clarity that highlights a direct, transparent conversation between high-altitude soil and cup.

At a Glance

Region
Thousand Hills, Rwanda, East Africa
Altitude
1,400–1,900 MASL
Process
Fully Washed · Sun-Dried · Bourbon, Typica
Caffeine
Standard (~80–100mg per cup)

ORIGIN

A Thousand Hills. One Extraordinary Cup.

Rwanda is small in size but immense in coffee character. From the endless mist-shrouded ridges of this landlocked East African nation, over 400,000 smallholder growers tend pure Arabica at elevations between 1,400 and 1,900 metres. This lot unites the meticulous harvests of 35,000 independent farmers, their peak-ripeness Bourbon and Typica cherries processed through a network of 40 regional washing stations before final grading at the Rwanda Trading Company in Kigali — a triumph of collective determination in every bag.

Tasting Notes

FRUITY

SWEET

CRANBERRY

What's in your cup

Expert Tip

Rwanda's Bourbon and Typica varietals are fully washed and sun-dried, producing a dense, clean bean that rewards precision brewing. For pour over or V60, use 93°C–94°C water at a 1:15 ratio with a medium-fine grind — this unlocks the cranberry brightness and sweet berry clarity without over-extracting. For espresso, pull at 93°C with a 1:2 ratio in 28–32 seconds to preserve the refined sweetness and smooth medium body. Works beautifully black or with a splash of oat milk.

Caffeine & Your Heart

This product is made of 100% single-origin Arabica coffee from Rwanda's iconic Bourbon and Typica varietals, delivering a clean, sustained energy curve. A 250g bag contains approximately 2,000 mg of caffeine, while the 1kg bulk bag provides around 8,000 mg — yielding roughly 80–100 mg of caffeine per standard cup. The light-to-medium roast profile preserves natural L-theanine compounds, supporting a smooth, jitter-free lift. For more information on managing your daily intake, visit the British Heart Foundation Caffeine Guidance.

Origin

Sourced from 35,000 independent smallholder farmers across the terraced highland ridges of Rwanda, East Africa, grown at 1,400–1,900 MASL. Peak-ripeness Bourbon and Typica cherries are delivered to a network of 40 regional washing stations, then unified at the Rwanda Trading Company in Kigali for final hulling, grading, and hand-sorting. The Fully Washed process and slow sun-drying under the equatorial African sky produce the region's signature brightness, clean sweetness, and sparkling juicy acidity.

Storage & Freshness

To preserve Rwanda's delicate cranberry brightness and sweet berry clarity, store your coffee at room temperature in a cool, dark pantry away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Our packaging features a one-way degassing valve and a secure resealable zipper to keep oxygen out.

For maximum flavour, keep beans whole and grind only what you intend to brew immediately. Avoid refrigeration or freezing, as condensation rapidly degrades the light, fruit-forward aromatic compounds that define this origin.

Cost Per Cup

Using the SCA standard brewing ratio of 15g per 225ml cup, our 250g bag (£18.99) delivers approximately 16 exceptional brews at just £1.19 per cup. Upgrading to our 1kg bulk pack (£43.99) yields roughly 66 premium extractions at an incredible £0.67 per cup — world-class Rwandan terroir for a fraction of the high-street price.

Roast Level

Rwanda 3 / 10

Acidity

4 / 5

Bright & Lively

Sweetness

4 / 5

Berry & Sweet

Body

3 / 5

Smooth & Medium