Rwanda Busanze Natural

Region: Nyaruguru, Rwanda

Producer: Smallholder farmers organized around KUN // Busanze Washing Station

Varietal: Local bourbon varietals

Process: Natural

Tasting notes: Strawberry-rhubarb, orange blossom, lemon zest

Producer info and cup notes: 

In the southern province of Rwanda, within the Nyaruguru district, lies Busanze washing station. Busanze operates as a privately owned station, supported by the surrounding coops that it buys cherry from. This low-intervention natural was selected as a separation from the KUN cooperative, with 81 total smallholder farmers contributing to the lot. After being floated and sorted for defects, cherries were simply left out to dry on patios with ample turning to promote even drying.

In the cup, we find notes of strawberry rhubarb pie filling, orange blossom and lime while hot. As it cools, bergamot and lemon zest come to the forefront with a nice supporting oolong tea body in the finish.