Rwanda Sholi Women's Lot Washed
A Third Year, A New Lot
For the past three years, we have been sourcing a naturally processed Red Bourbon lot from the Abateraninkunga ba Sholi Cooperative, located about halfway between the capital city Kigali and Lake Kivu in the Southern Province of Rwanda. This year, we finally have the opportunity to showcase something new alongside our beloved natural lot: a washed Red Bourbon that highlights the classic, clean flavor profile Rwanda is known for. Two lots, one incredible cooperative, and a shared commitment to the women who make it all possible.
Rooted in Mutual Assistance
Sholi was established in 2008 and grew out of a women's association in the community called Kundwa, meaning "love" in Kinyarwanda, the national language of Rwanda. The cooperative's full name, Abateraninkunga ba Sholi, translates to "mutual assistance," and it is a name they live up to every day. Sholi has committed itself not only to producing extremely high-quality coffee, but to the support and empowerment of the entire community around them. Today, over one-third of their members are women, including two of their five board members, and the cooperative continues to invest in education, healthcare, economic development, and sustainability more than 15 years after its founding.
The Coffee: Washed Red Bourbon
Both this washed lot and the natural lot we have sourced from Sholi are women-produced Red Bourbon lots that highlight the classic flavor profiles of Rwanda. This washed coffee is a beautiful, balanced cup with sparkling citrus acidity, a complex florality, and a sweetness that makes it an easy favorite. Look for bright notes of mandarin and honeysuckle, with a refined black tea finish that lingers long after the last sip.
Rwanda Sholi Women's Lot Washed
For the third year in a row, OZO is partnering with the Sholi Cooperative in Rwanda in celebration of the women in the coffee industry from seed to cup. This washed Red Bourbon is a celebration of the classic flavor profile of Rwanda, with sparkling citrus acidity, sweet florals, and a refined black tea finish.