ABOUT GITWE HILL

This is our sixth year working with the Long Miles Coffee Project, and throughout that time Gitwe has regularly been one of our favorite hills from which to buy coffee. Gitwe Hill stretches from the Heza washing station all the way to the main road that runs through the northern province of Kayanza. Heza itself is built into the face of a cliff overlooking the Kibira rainforest on the border of Burundi and Rwanda. The high altitude, moderate climate, and proximity to the Kibira create a uniquely excellent microclimate for coffee production. The two main Long Miles agronomists/scouts, Anicet and Patrice are largely responsible for progressing the coffee quality on this particular hill. They have been instrumental in helping manage the antestia bug (potato defect) as well as teaching about pruning and fertilization. They have also helped develop an irrigation system by building water channels that collect rain water and redistribute it throughout the hill.

ABOUT THIS FIELD BLEND

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.

ABOUT LONG MILES COFFEE PROJECT

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.