Day 19: Congo Lake Kivu

Day 19 of RISE Coffee Countdown Calendar - Congo Lake Kivu

Origin: Congo

Location: Lake Kivu

Altitude: 1,600-2,000 masl

Bean: Arabica

Varietals: Mixed

Process: Washed and sun dried

Tasting notes: Buttery toffee, chocolate and caramel

Why Alice and Ben love it: A full bodied bold, intense coffee with wild aspects that will delight you! We are big fans of drinking coffee black, but this coffee goes exceptionally well with regular milk or oat milk. We love coffee from Congo, which like this one are shade grown and without use of pesticides. This isn't certified Organic, but that's likely because the small holder farms can't afford the certification fee, which is over £600 a year. They still farm using organic practices, they just don't have the certificate. 

Here is Alice with a cup of coffee overlooking Congo from the Ugandan border!  

About the coffee:  

The region surrounding Lake Kivu has been producing coffee for a long time. In recent years the establishment of cooperatives and mills has seen a significant improvement in the general quality of washed grades from the DRC. The country has an equatorial climate, the ecosystems and landscapes are diverse and rich. The areas surrounding Lake Kivu are rich in minerals. Many of the farms also have lush mountains surrounding the region and natural shade for the coffee trees.

Farmer spotlight

Muungano, meaning "Togetherness" in Swahili, is a thriving coffee cooperative in eastern DR Congo. Founded in 2009 by 350 members, it has grown to include over 4,300 farmers working near Lake Kivu’s scenic shores. This young coop produces high-quality speciality coffee, exporting up to five containers annually to Europe and the US.

Farmers, mostly cultivating small plots, deliver fresh cherries to Muungano’s washing stations for processing. United by a shared vision, members from communities once divided by civil war now collaborate to create exceptional coffee and stronger futures.

Why Congo is a unique Growing Region

The coffee is grown in the fertile volcanic soil surrounding Lake Kivu, one of Africa’s Great Lakes. This region offers ideal conditions for producing high-quality coffee:

  • High Altitudes: Most farms are located between 1,600 and 2,000 metres above sea level, promoting slow bean maturation and complex flavour development.
  • Volcanic Soil: Rich, nutrient-dense soil enhances the beans’ depth and quality.
  • Mild Climate: Consistent rainfall and cool temperatures provide a perfect environment for coffee cultivation.

    These qualities make it similar to coffees from neighbouring Rwanda and Burundi, yet it definitely has its own distinctive character.

     

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