Velvet Isle

The Bikunda Island offering is a singular expression of Red Bourbon cultivated by seven farmers whose families have tended Lake Kivu's volcanic slopes for generations. Bikunda Hill rises from the legendary waters of Lake Kivu in Nyamasheke District, where altitudes between 1,500 and 1,859 meters create an isolated microclimate of remarkable distinction. The seven contributing farmers—Viateur Basabose, Valerie Nyiranzeyimana, Jmv Usekanabagoyi, Innocent Uwihoreye, Celestin Manirarora, Sylveran Ugirabantu, and Emmanuel Cyiza—traverse the lake by boat to deliver their harvest to Ngoma washing station, a ritual that has become central to their collective identity. Ngoma represents Emmanuel's most ambitious acquisition: a meticulously positioned station directly on Lake Kivu's shores, rescued in 2019 from commodity buyers notorious for suppressing farmgate prices. With only 780 contributing farmers producing approximately 575 exportable bags annually, Ngoma operates at an intimately small scale that allows for unprecedented quality control. The station serves as the cornerstone of Rwanda's emerging Lake Kivu appellation project, positioning these coffees alongside Colombia's most celebrated regional designations. The natural processing at Ngoma follows a deliberate 35-to-40-day protocol. Hand-selected red cherries undergo multiple sorting stages before placement on raised beds, where continuous hand-picking removes any imperfections. The extended drying period, monitored to achieve precise 12-12.5% moisture content, develops the complex fruit characteristics that define this terroir. Following a mandatory 30-day rest period, the coffee undergoes final milling and color sorting before export certification. This harvest, scored at 86.25 points, reveals the sophisticated interplay between variety, altitude, and processing method. The cup presents layers of hazelnut and almond butter, elevated by maple syrup sweetness and bright orange candy notes. Melon and dried fruit complexities emerge as the coffee cools, accompanied by delicate potpourri florals and concentrated apple chips. The finish carries blueberry and blackberry depth, testament to the natural process and the volcanic soils of Lake Kivu. Bikunda Island represents more than exceptional coffee- each bag connects you directly to these seven farmers, their island community, and a terroir that exists nowhere else on earth. Available while quantities last.