Cup of Excellence Rwanda Lot#3 Released

Our Cup of Excellence Rwanda was produced by 204 smallholder farmers in Huye in Southern Rwanda. It won 3rd prize at Rwanda Cup of Excellence 2008. This is one of the best coffees produced in Africa and therefore one of the best coffees in the world.

Cuth is putting her heart and soul into roasting this one. On her first tasting she said “the best espresso i have … yes, i’ll say it … EVER tasted”.It was first roasted on Saturday 8 August, and we started drinking it on Monday the 10th. Come in and get some now or call 021 421 1000 or email orders@orginroasting.co.za

Get some soon because we will keep roasting it until it’s all gone.

The Cup of Excellence Isn’t Just Any Award

Comparable to the Double Gold Veritas Award of wine, the Cup of Excellence (CoE) is the most sought-after award in the global coffee community. Ten years ago the first ground-breaking jury of 14 international cuppers started Cup of Excellence in Brazil. CoE is now held in nine countries across the globe – Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala – and for the first time in Africa in 2008 – in Rwanda.

Specially selected national and international jurors engage in an intensive process to rank the best of that year’s coffees. Only a few exceptional coffees from a country receive the prestigious Cup of Excellence award. These coffees are auctioned live online to the highest bidders from around the world.

What Makes This Coffee So Special?

Coffees of this quality are very rare, and they are exceptionally hard to produce and to find. The trees and soil are nourished, every cherry is perfectly ripe when it is picked and the processing is meticulous. The lots submitted for judging are the ultimate expression of terroir and of the growers putting their heart and soul into showing off the best that they can cultivate. These coffees are unique and drinking them is a privilege that will be enjoyed by few people.

Origin’s Commitment To Coffee Excellence

Origin is the only roaster in South Africa to roast CoE coffees. We have roasted CoE coffees from Bolivia, Guatemala and now from Rwanda. In buying 3 bags of Rwanda Lot #3, Origin Coffee Roasting reaffirms its commitment to the growers, to African excellence and to serving the world’s best coffee in Cape Town.
Joel was also a judge on the Cup of Excellence Bolivia 2008 jury.We had planned to be on the jury for Rwanda 2009, but that competition has been postponed until 2010.

How Does This Help the Grower?

COE doesn’t only recognize the excellence of the coffee – it also honours the smallholder farmers that grew it. Farmers of winning coffees receive their awards in a national ceremony. They can expect increased opportunities from roasters looking for quality coffee – they are no longer the nameless people who produced the exceptional coffee we enjoy. The majority of the profits made from the auction of the coffee goes straight to the farmers themselves. The positive impact of rewards for the farmers is permanent, and the auction money is often used for the improvement of farms and for family education. Compensating the farmer well, often means changing the lives of the their entire family and the rural communities where they live. The entire Cup of Excellence programs goal is to provide incentives for the growers by creating market demand and premium prices for great coffee.

Buremera MIG – Cup of Excellence Rwanda Lot #3

MIG Burema represents farmers distributed in the coffee hills of Huye, in Southeast Rwanda. They won first, third and ninth place in the competition.

International Jury Score: 89.41
Lot size: 20 bags only, 3 of them at Origin
Province: South District: Huye Sector: Maraba
Altitude: Cherries picked from 1600 to 2000 metres
Coffee Variety: Bourbon
Soil Type: Clay, clay-sandy,
Soil Ph mean: 5/3
Precipitation range: 1300 to 1400 mm
Temperature range: 17-18 C
Drying Process: Full sun drying, drying table
Storage: One warehouse with natural ventilation system
Fair Water Source: mountain natural spring water
Energy Source: generator

International Jury Description

Aroma – sweet cream (11), honey (4), malty (5), stone fruit (4), grapes floral (6), caramel (4), spicy (2).
Flavor – cherry (13), green grape (5), red currant (6), red apple (4), white grape (5), passions fruit floral (6), lime (5), brown sugar (5), green apple (2), lemon (2).
Mouthfeel – big phat cup (11), mouth coating (12), intense (7), syrupy (9), luscious (7), silky (2).
Acidity – very sweet (12), complex (12), gentle (8), delicate (3), lactic (2)