Burundi Coffee: A Remarkable Journey from Past Struggles to Current Success

Introduction

The heart of Africa houses the vibrant nation of Burundi, a landlocked country rich in culture, beautiful landscapes, and an inspiring story of resilience. Amidst its captivating attributes, Burundi stands as a beacon in the global coffee landscape. The nation’s extraordinary transformation of its coffee sector offers a compelling tale of overcoming adversities and rising to prominence. We will dive into Burundi’s coffee history and it’s future.

History of Burundi Coffee

Tracing the history of Burundi’s coffee sector unveils a tumultuous yet inspiring journey. Under Belgian colonial rule, coffee was primarily a cash crop. Burundian farmers were forced to cultivate a mandated number of coffee trees, receiving minimal financial compensation for their labour. As the country emerged from the shadows of colonization in the 1960s, coffee, among other sectors, was privatized, bringing significant control back to the local population.

Despite this newfound independence, the bitter memories of forced labour tarnished the allure of coffee farming. Coffee production dipped as farmers turned away from the crop, leading to a decline in quality and an uprooting of many coffee plants. However, Burundi’s destiny was to change.

Following the economically devastating civil wars of the 1990s, coffee emerged as a beacon of hope. Inspired by neighbouring Rwanda’s successful rebuilding through coffee, Burundi witnessed renewed investment in its coffee sector during the early 2000s. A balanced mixture of privately and state-run coffee enterprises created enhanced opportunities and stability, gradually solidifying Burundi’s position as an emerging coffee producer on the global map.

Despite these advancements, Burundi, like Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has had to contend with the notorious “potato defect” – a microorganism that imparts a raw potato-like flavour and aroma to affected beans. This defect remains undetectable in the parchment, green, or roasted coffee. However, ongoing research promises a future where the potato defect is consigned to history.

Interesting Facts about Burundi Coffee

Despite its modest geographical size, Burundi boasts a diverse and dynamic coffee sector. Its coffee variety includes Bourbon, Jackson, and Mbrizi. The primary growing regions are Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Muyinga, and Ngozi.

Burundi is home to over 700,000 coffee farmers, many small-hold farmers cultivating on micro-lots. With approximately 160,000 bags of coffee exported annually, Burundi is a significant player in the global coffee trade.

Burundi Profile

Size: 27,834 sq km

Capital City: Bujumbura

Population: 11,659,410

Languages Spoken: Kirundi, French, English

Producer Profile

Population Involved in Coffee: Approximately 700,000

Average Farm Size: Micro-lot and small-hold farms

Bags Exported Annually: Approximately 160,000 60kg bags

Coffee Flavor Profile

Burundian coffee is renowned for its distinctive taste. It offers a bright aroma and bergamot, berries, and lemongrass flavours. The body is rich and heavy, with bright acidity, making it a delightful experience for coffee connoisseurs.

Regions

Coffee farming is predominant in several regions of Burundi, including Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Muyinga, and Ngozi. Each region boasts unique environmental factors contributing to Burundian coffee’s distinctive flavour profiles.

Growing Cycle

The growing cycle for coffee in Burundi usually begins in March and ends in July. The washing stations and dry mills are primarily concentrated in the Northern and Central provinces. Until 2008, coffees from all the washing stations within each region were blended, limiting Burundian coffee’s traceability.

However, with the advent of the specialty coffee sector in Burundi in 2008, the country started allowing more direct and traceable purchasing. Notably, Burundi employs a unique double-fermentation and double-washing process for its coffees. This intricate process involves floating the cherries, de-pulping, dry-fermentation, washing, wet-fermentation, and drying on raised beds. This process results in a clean, flavourful coffee.

Conclusion

The narrative of Burundi’s coffee sector is one of struggle, resilience, and triumph. With the continued commitment of its coffee farmers, coupled with the increasing global recognition of its high-quality coffee, Burundi’s future in the coffee industry shines brightly. From its tumultuous past to its promising future, the journey of Burundi’s coffee sector offers a truly inspiring tale of the transformative power of agriculture.

Best Coffee In Burundi