Ituze Women Cooperative is the proud producer of this exquisite coffee from the Kamonyi region, which is bursting with fruity flavours. Grown at an altitude of over 1600m and with an impressive cup score of 86, we are pretty sure that most coffee lovers will be satisfied with Ituze. Plus, it's fully washed and produces a super clean cup with a sweet and smooth finish.
Notes : Cherry, stone fruit, honey & dark chocolate
Variety: Arabica - Red Bourbon
Processing: Fully Washed
Roast Level: Medium
Body: Smooth
Cup Score : 86
Origin: Rwanda
Region: Ngamba / Kamonyi
Farm /Coop / : Ngamba Ituze Women’s Cooperative
Growing Altitude: 1,600 meters above sea level
MORE ABOUT RWANDA ITUZE
Ituze Women’s Cooperative FW Farmgate Initiative
Ituze Women’s Cooperative is a shining example of what can be accomplished when women come together to support each other. They have overcome many challenges, but they have never given up on their dreams and work together to improve their livelihoods and prospects.
In Kinyarwanda, “ituze” means “calmness”, which is the effect the women wanted their cooperative to have. The cooperative's first goal was to provide support and friendship to its members. They met regularly to share their experiences, offer each other advice and simply lend a listening ear. This sense of community was essential to their success.
The cooperative also set out to generate additional income. They began by farming coffee and pineapples, and they soon realized that they had a knack for business. They were able to increase their yields and improve the quality of their products.
In 2018, the cooperative received a grant from the Kahawatu Foundation to purchase seedlings, shade trees and manure, which further boosted their productivity. They also received training in soap manufacturing, which has become a profitable new venture.
Today, the Ituze Women’s Cooperative is a thriving business. They have over 20 members, and their products are sold locally and in the capital city of Kigali. They have also been able to save an impressive amount of money through a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). In their first year, they saved over $1,000, which was used by each member to pay for medical insurance, rehabilitate houses, buy educational materials and purchase livestock.
The members also produce homemade soap, which they sell for an additional source of income. They first learned soapmaking techniques in August 2021 when Kahawatu Foundation provided a training. Since then, they have been able to make a strong income from selling soap and have reinvested their income in additional businesses in a sustainable manner.
The women of Ituze selectively handpick ripe, red cherry and deliver it to Ngamba washing station. At intake, specially trained staff float cherry to remove underripes and then visually inspect cherry and remove any defects. Cherry is pulped and fermented for 10 to 12 hours in fermentation tanks. Following fermentation, parchment is washed in clean water and laid on raised beds to dry. Workers rake parchment frequently to ensure even drying and visually inspect parchment to remove any damaged beans. It takes approximately 21 to 30 days for parchment to dry.
Harvest & Post- Harvest
The women of Ituze selectively handpick ripe, red cherry and deliver it to Ngamba washing station. At intake, specially trained staff float cherry to remove underripes and then visually inspect cherry and remove any defects. Cherry is pulped and fermented for 10 to 12 hours in fermentation tanks. Following fermentation, parchment is washed in clean water and laid on raised beds to dry. Workers rake parchment frequently to ensure even drying and visually inspect parchment to remove any damaged beans. It takes approximately 21 to 30 days for parchment to dry.
Coffee In Rwanda
Despite its turbulent history, today Rwanda is one of the specialty coffee world’s darlings – for good reason! Our sister company in Rwanda does an amazing job of bringing the best that Rwanda has to offer to roasters around the world.
German missionaries and settlers brought coffee to Rwanda in the early 1900s. Largescale coffee production was established during the 1930 & 1940s by the Belgian colonial government. Coffee production continued after the Belgian colonists left. By 1970, coffee had become the single largest export in Rwanda and accounted for 70% of total export revenue. Coffee was considered so valuable that, beginning in 1973, it was illegal to tear coffee trees out of the ground.
Modern Rwanda is considered one of the most stable countries in the region. Since 2003, its economy has grown by 7-8% per year and coffee production has played a key role in this economic growth. Coffee has also played a role in Rwanda's significant advancements towards gender equality. New initiatives that cater to women and focus on helping them equip themselves with the tools and knowledge for farming have been changing the way women view themselves and interact with the world around them.
Today, smallholders propel the industry in Rwanda forward. The country doesn’t have any large estates. Most coffee is grown by the 400,000+ smallholders, who own less than a quarter of a hectare. The majority of Rwanda’s coffee production is Arabica. Bourbon variety plants comprise 95% of all coffee trees cultivated in Rwanda.