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Shikankoni

Burundi - Kayanza - Shikankoni - FW - 15+ - 84+

CROP 2024/2025 See coffee details

SCA score84.25

Aromatic notes

lemonhoneygreenbiscuit

Available on sample request (60kg)

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History and traceability

The story

The Cafex Washing Station in Kayanza is managed by a competent and dedicated committee of 200 experienced coffee growers. Founded in 2006 by a Belgian-Burundian couple, the Cafex project was launched with the vision of harmonizing coffee production on their ancestral lands with modern, sustainable practices, aiming to improve the well-being of local communities.

Ripe cherries are carefully hand-picked daily by producers and swiftly transported to the washing station. There, they undergo a flotation process to separate the highest quality, densest cherries from the lesser ones. The selected cherries are then depulped using a traditional depulper and fermented in water for 12 to 18 hours before being thoroughly washed in grading channels to remove any remaining mucilage and further sort them by density. After this step, the coffee is dried on raised beds, exposed to full sun for about 20 days. The beans are turned regularly to ensure even drying. Once the optimal moisture level is reached, the coffee is carefully stored in a cool, dark environment until it is prepared for export.

To guarantee exceptional quality, the hulling of these lots is entrusted to the Ikawa Nziza factory, located at the junction of the Ngozi, Kirundo, and Muyinga provinces. This processing plant, ideally situated at high altitude, preserves the integrity of all coffees — both full lots and high-quality microlots — and actively promotes specialty coffee in Burundi.

This meticulous journey, from cherry selection to hulling at Ikawa Nziza, illustrates the remarkable excellence of the coffee produced by Cafex.

These fully washed coffees come from small-scale producers farming on the hills surrounding our washing station in Kayanza province, Shikankoni hill. These coffee outgrowers collaborate with Cafex to improve the quality of their cherries and produce exceptional coffee, benefiting from ideal altitude, fertile soil, and favorable climatic conditions. Belco is making its return to Burundi with this coffee, and we are pleased to begin a partnership with Jean-Michel and Dominique.

The Cafex Washing Station in Kayanza is managed by a competent and dedicated committee of 200 experienced coffee growers. Founded in 2006 by a Belgian-Burundian couple, the Cafex project was launched with the vision of harmonizing coffee production on their ancestral lands with modern, sustainable practices, aiming to improve the well-being of local communities.

Over the years, the Cafex initiative in Kayanza has had a remarkable impact on families in the region. The project plays a key role in helping farmers overcome the challenges of each coffee season while ensuring the smooth operation of a reliable washing station. Thanks to this initiative, producers have been able to sell their coffee at fair prices, providing them with a stable and sustainable source of income. Today, Cafex stands out as a vital actor in promoting sustainable farming practices and improving the economic conditions of coffee growers.

Moreover, the project places special emphasis on empowering women coffee farmers, who actively participate in the station’s daily operations, thereby improving their living conditions and contributing significantly to ensuring coffee quality. In addition, families involved in seasonal coffee work now benefit from a regular income throughout the harvest period, bringing valuable financial stability and fostering local community development.