Rwanda A Rugali Anaerobic Natural

This coffee comes to us from Muraho Trading Company’s Rugali Washing Station in Nyamasheke, Rwanda. Muraho was founded by two brothers, Karthick & Gaudam Anbalagan, who are determined to showcase the high quality and unique tastes of Rwandan specialty coffee. Rugali is their largest washing station, nicknamed “The Big Daddy” because of its size and capacity. Since purchasing the land 7 years ago, Muraho first built and then expanded the station, adding their own dry mill, the Rugali Dry Mill, in 2019.

Coffee has been cultivated in the area for many generations, with knowledge being passed down in families. Traditional growing techniques, experienced farmers, and rich fertile soil make Nyamasheke one of the top specialty coffee producing areas in Rwanda.

The Rugali Washing Station is known for its high standards and top-shelf coffee. Only perfectly ripe cherries are accepted for processing. The cherries are all checked upon arrival, then resorted on sorting tables, and then passed through an intensive floating quality process. The selected cherries are separated and placed in a clean air tight tank.

The tank is then covered with clean sheeting and cool water is added on top of the sheeting to produce a water pillow effect. This creates an anaerobic environment for fermentation. This coffee ferments for 48 hours before being rinsed, with the water on top of the sheeting, and drained. It is then spread in a thin layer on the raised African drying beds. The cherries are turned every 30 minutes and undergo extensive handpicking. The temperature is closely monitored and controlled throughout the 40 day drying process.