African Great Lakes (Kenya BOMA, Vunga, Congo, Turihamwe)
Classic Profile | Medium roast
Tasting Notes: Allspice, Milk Chocolate, Buttery
IT ALL STARTS AT THE COFFEE FARM
This blend of beautiful African coffees highlights the unique and impressive flavor of the coffee grown in Central and East Africa. We decided to pair these coffees with each other because of the vibrant and exciting flavors each bring to the table.
Rwanda Vunga:
Daphrose Uwimana leads the woman-owned Vunga cooperative, founded in 2009 near Rwanda’s borders with Uganda and DR Congo. With 260 smallholder farmers, she mentors women growers and promotes sustainable practices. This coffee, processed at their own washing station, reflects her dedication to quality and community, including efforts to engage youth in coffee farming.
DR Congo Mapendo:
Grown by 297 smallholder farmers in South Kivu, nearly 44% of whom are women, this coffee from Coopérative Agricole Muungano embodies love and collaboration. Mighty Peace Coffee works to share Congo’s coffee story, supporting farmers through training and stable partnerships. Specialty coffee here fosters economic stability and peace in a historically conflicted region.
Turihamwe:
This coffee comes from a small women-owned producer group in Ngozi, where these seven entrepreneurs worked in coffee farming and earned premiums from producer and exporter group JNP Coffee (also women-owned) as part of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) Premium Program. The women pooled their savings to produce their first harvest and purchase a wet mill to process their coffees, and named their investment group Turihamwe, which means "together" in Kirundi.
Kenya BOMA:
Produced by 600 farmers in Kericho County, this fully washed coffee is grown at 1,960 meters using SL and Ruiru varietals. Dried for 14–17 days, it delivers a clean, citrusy profile. The Boma washing station exemplifies traditional Kenyan processing, showcasing the region’s potential for bright, high-quality coffees.
TRACEABILITY
COUNTRY
Kenya BOMA, Vunga, Congo, Turihamwe
REGION
Higa, Mighty Peace Coffee, JNP Coffee
IMPORTER
Higa, Mighty Peace Coffee, JNP Coffee
VARIETAL
Vunga: Red Bourbon
Congo: SL-34
Tuihamwe: Heirloom Bourbon
PRODUCER
BOMA: 600 smallholder producers, VUNGA: 260 smallholder farmer-members of Vunga Cooperative, CONGO: 297 smallholder farmers, TURIHAMWE: Turihamwe Turashobora Producer Group
MILL / WASHING STATION
BOMA: Boma Washing Station
Vunga: vunga washing station
Congo: mapendo
PROCESSING
Washed
ALTITUDE
BOMA: 1710-2050
Vunga: 1650-2000
Congo: 960- 2000
Turihamwe: 1750
DID YOU KNOW
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PRICE TRANSPARENCY
Vunga: $4.58
Congo: $4.93
Turihamwe: $4.95
Price paid by Driftaway
Congo: $3.32
Lamaiywet: $5.04
Free on Board price
-
Farm Gate price
-
Fair Trade price per pound
$3.53
Coffee C-Market price per pound
$0.05
Driftaway's World Coffee Research contribution per pound
WHY DID WE SELECT THIS COFFEE?
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AVERAGE CUPPING SCORE
85.35
/100
85.35
SCAA Cupping Score
14 x 60 kg
Bags purchased
1 year
Length of producer relationship
100% (in 2023)
Transparent coffees purchased
HOW DID WE ROAST THIS COFFEE?
This coffee is being roasted by Ian T. from April 21st to May 16th in Brooklyn. We use the Loring Kestrel roaster for this profile. We have strict guidelines for each of the coffee profiles, and this roast has to pass the development time ratio test as measured in real-time by the roasting software, Cropster. Once it does, it is approved for production.
QUALITY CONTROL
We perform Quality Control via a process of coffee tasting called cupping on all of our production roasts once a week at our roastery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Each cupping is conducted by Ian T., Anu M., Suyog M., and James M. using standard equipment, and is logged by our Q-certified cupper Ian T. All coffees are evaluated on a scoring scale of 0 to 3.
- 3.0 = exceptional roast - exceeds expectations
- 2.5 = on par with profile - matches expectations
- 2.0 = good roast, but 1 or 2 elements could be improved - needs improvement
- 1.5 or lower = failed - do not ship
PRODUCTION AND SHIPPING
Less than 24 hours after roasting, we bag your coffee in our production facility in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Our production team is led by Anthony and Torie, and supported by a rotating cast of local artists, musicians and independent professionals.
AT YOUR HOME
Brew this coffee with your favorite home brewer and enjoy the taste of incredible coffee! Here are a few tips on how to make the best coffee on each brewer.
View other posts about how to make better coffee at home on our blog Coffeecademy.
