Lake Kivu Coffee

Sweet Caramel Notes and a Hint of Fruit

Imagine: the gentle scent of caramelized almonds fills your nose and warms your heart – that's exactly what you'll find in every cup of our Lake Kivu. With its nutty aromas, sweet caramel notes, and hints of fruity red berries, this Congolese washed Arabica combines lively freshness with subtle spice.

Strong Women. Strong Coffee.

The coffee comes from our special connection to the Rebuild Women's Hope (RWH) coffee cooperative, which was founded in 2013 by human rights activist Marceline Budza and has been run by her ever since. Inspired by the resilience of her own mother, who raised her four daughters alone, she made it her mission to find practical ways to bring about lasting change in the lives of Congolese women in rural areas. One of these areas is the island of Idjwi, located in the middle of Lake Kivu – the namesake of our exceptional Arabica coffee.

RWH operates four washing stations where the coffee cherries are processed. The cherries are pre-sorted by hand, pulped, and cleaned of the remaining pulp in a water tank. Finally, they are dried on raised drying beds for about 14 days. This type of washed process brings out the fruity, complex character of Lake Kivu particularly well.

Coffee Cultivation with a Vision for the Whole Community

Since the beginning of 2024, we have been investing in six new coffee projects worldwide with the Coffee Circle Foundation e.V. – one of which is Rebuild Women's Hope (RWH). This female-led organization is committed to strengthening women's rights in the Congo, enabling female coffee farmers to achieve economic independence and giving them decision-making power. A good standard of living for the entire community – that is their vision.

For generations, farmers on Idjwi have been largely dependent on the coffee they grow. Through Rebuild Women's Hope, they now have the opportunity to grow and process their coffee to a high standard and are no longer dependent on smugglers to transport the green coffee across Lake Kivu to neighboring Rwanda. In addition, the cooperative is currently investing in the construction of a women's shelter and a hospital.

Tips for Preparation

We particularly recommend preparing this coffee using a pour-over method, for example with a hand filter. The AeroPress or a classic coffee machine also bring out the flavors of this coffee perfectly. The medium roast ensures a particularly harmonious balance – whether pure or combined with milk (or milk alternatives), Lake Kivu will win you over no matter how you drink it.