Burundi

Coffee from Burundi

Burundi, a small landlocked country in East Africa, has been growing coffee since the early 1900s when Belgian colonial authorities introduced Arabica plants. Today, coffee remains one of Burundi’s most important exports, with thousands of smallholder farmers cultivating coffee in the country’s high-altitude regions.

Most Burundian coffee is grown above 1,500 meters in areas such as Kayanza, Ngozi, and Muyinga, where volcanic soil and ample rainfall create ideal conditions. The country is known for its washed coffee process, which results in clean, crisp, and complex cups with bright acidity, delicate florals, and vibrant fruit notes, often reminiscent of citrus, stone fruit, and red berries.

One challenge for Burundi’s coffee industry is infrastructure, as coffee often has to travel long distances to washing stations. However, investment in processing quality has made Burundian coffee increasingly recognized in the Specialty Coffee market, often drawing comparisons to neighbouring Rwanda and Ethiopia.