Coffee Description
Rich and inviting, this coffee offers fragrance notes of raisin pie, apple crisp, and cacao nibs. In the cup, dark chocolate and raisin meet lemon curd and sweet florals. Acidity hits the perfect sweet-tart balance, complemented by a velvety body.
Roast Level from the Roaster
Refers to the roast level in comparison with other coffees from the roaster
Medium
Variety
Bourbon
Process
Washed
Elevation
1500-2000 masl
Region
Lake Kivu
About Smallholder producers of DR Congo
At the edge of the Ituri forest and a day’s walk from Virunga National Park’s snow capped Rwenzori mountains, the 839 farmers of Kawa Kanzaruru are collaborating in an economic model for peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Formed in 2014, the goal of the cooperative is to help coffee producers in their pursuit of sustainability and to access international markets, getting more for their coffees. Kawa Kanzaruru means “white coffee” in the local language, named for the snow on towering MT Rwenzori and also for the processing that makes their coffee so clean and of such high quality.
Virunga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to critically endangered mountain gorillas that are threatened by poachers, deforestation and armed conflict. Choosing this particular coffee helps to directly support the Virunga Alliance by providing jobs in the area, protecting biodiversity, and guarding the gorillas.
Lake Kivu, DR Congo
Higher Grounds Coffee
Higher Grounds Coffee believes that high-quality coffee is sustainable only through a human-centric approach. They source 100% organic coffee directly through ownership of their importing co-op Cooperative Coffees, always paying well over market and fair trade minimum prices. Their coffee is meticulously cupped, profiled, and roasted with precision to bring out the best of every bean. They offer unique and tasty single-origins as well as delicious and crowd-pleasing blends.
Their dedication does not stop when the coffee hits the cup. They circle back to invest in farming communities via their nonprofit partners and through direct support of community development programs and sustainability initiatives. Whether it is school construction in Ethiopia, water projects in Chiapas, Mexico, or women's empowerment in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Higher Grounds has engaged in and supported farmer initiatives all over the world.
There are many coffee roasters to choose from, but no one does it like Higher Grounds. Their award-winning approach to sourcing and quality have earned them recognition from coast to coast.
