This separation comes from the rolling hills of Musumba, where the rich soils and cool canopies of banana trees create ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. Despite its challenges, this region continues to show exceptional potential. In the cup we find red tea, currant, and clove.
Field Blend
Muramvya
1,800 - 1,900 masl
June, 2024
Hand-picked at peak ripeness. Floated and hand sorted to further remove defects; depulped on the day of harvest. Double-fermented dry for 12 hours, then 24 hours submerged in water. Rinsed in fresh water. Density graded. Dried on traditional African raised beds for 16-20 days until moisture content reaches 10.5%.
Musumba is a bustling agricultural community where, in addition to coffee, farming families grow an impressive array of crops to supplement their income: beans, sweet potatoes, cassava, potato, maize, peas, bananas, onions, and tea. The hills of Musumba rest about eight kilometers (~5 miles) from the Bukeye washing station, which boasts some of the most beautiful landscapes in coffee, and, unlike other hills in the region, is historically untouched by war.
Varieties in Burundi are not exactly straightforward. We know that Red Bourbon and Mibirizi are being cultivated; however, we don't know at what relative percentages. Based on the history of production in Burundi there is also most likely some SL34 being grown as well.
The Long Miles Coffee Project is the dream-become-reality of Ben and Kristy Carlson. The pair moved to Burundi in 2011 with a simple dream: Help coffee growers by helping roasters source consistently high quality coffees from Burundi. Their dream has grown from working with fifty coffee growers in 2013 to working with more than 5,500 at present. Long Miles has been extremely effective in helping to actualize Burundi’s natural potential for extremely high quality coffee, while also making an incredible impact socially, economically, and environmentally. Coffees from this project are some of our most anticipated of the year, and we are humbled and honored continue supporting their inspiring work.
The cost of getting a coffee from cherry to beverage varies enormously depending on its place of origin and the location of its consumption. The inclusion of price transparency is a starting point to inform broader conversation around the true costs of production and the sustainability of specialty coffee as a whole.