Mahembe is a coffee company in the Nyamasheke district in the west of Rwanda. The owner, Justin Musabyimana grew up in the local area and returned after moving away for some time, deciding to invest in the community and build a wet mill on his father’s coffee plantation.

Since its founding in 2010, the company has grown to include two washing stations in the region and has built an international reputation for exceptional coffee quality. We have worked with Justin through our partner Nordic Approach since 2013 and have had a coffee from Mahembe every year without fail. The washing station used to be called Mahembe but has now been called Nyagatare as the company has expanded and built new facilities.

The area is perhaps less well known for quality coffee than some others in Rwanda but it has ideal conditions including high altitudes and an increasing number of farmers growing coffee at those higher altitudes. This lot is a naturally processed red bourbon and one of our first Rwandan coffees of the year. The climate through most of the season in Rwanda is relatively cool, which assists in controlling the fermentation process. Typical drying for naturals is 18-25 days with drying on raised beds.