RWANDA • IKIZERE WOMEN GROUP

ORIGIN:
Fresh crop from the Baho network in Rwanda has become a Spring tradition at Quietly with their lively, fruit forward profiles! This year's lot comes from 10 select Muzo producers: Bibiane Mukambuguje, Regine Nyirabahinde, Triphine Akimanimpaye, Costasie Mukamana, Louise M Mukanoheri, Verena Mukagatera, Marguarte Uwimana, Puriquerie Ingabire, Donatha Nyirankurikiyinka, and Vestine Nyiramajyambere. They are collectively known as the Ikizere group, which translates to confidence or trust in Kinyarwanda.

Emmanuel Rusatira created the group to support widowed and single mothers, who also grow coffee. As he states, "we decided to bring these women together" to foster "support and recognition for their particularly trying circumstances" and to stress that "they are equally needed, important, and valued, regardless of their social or economic situation".

One of the most unique elements of this lot is that the 10 women manually de-pulp their crops together. While it is the traditional method for processing in Rwanda, it is very time consuming and difficult. Emmanuel explains the the idea as a way to "create closer relations with these crops and their owners" and encourage the "women to talk and discuss their lives, coffee, issues, and also exchange ideas". Following de-pulping, the crops go to Muzo Washing Station and then to us by way of our long standing partner Brendan Adams at Semilla. 

FLAVOUR:
This Ikizere Women Group lot is an incredibly sweet and soft cup. Given the Red Bourbon varietal and natural processing, there is loads of bright berry notes. It lands between the sticky and syrupy notes of maraschino cherry and the zip of a swedish berry candy. There is an array of floral rose hip and black tea notes that mingle with a refreshing citrus acidity, which tastes like a lemon curd or lemon cake. It is a superb cup for balancing body with clarity against really fun cooked sugars and bright citrus flavours.