Our latest release from the Gasharu group is the 'Rugori Women's Crown' washed coffee. Already this year we've had some extraordinary 'experimental' anaerobic naturals including IREME and INTEGO, but we know the quality of their washed lots and opted for this Rugori Women's Crown lot since it's a great example of a well selected and washed coffee from the Nyamasheke region of Rwanda.

About Rugori:

“Making women’s coffee work count” – This is what inspired Rugori (Women’s Crown) Gasharu Coffee, a fully washed experimental lot that is solely produced and processed by women. The majority of work in coffee farming and processing is done by women but only a small percentage of the proceedings from coffee goes to women despite their contributions to and responsibilities in their households."

This coffee learns from the Rwandan culture and acknowledges women’s work in the coffee value chain. Rugori “women’s crown” is a crown that women in Rwanda are given after giving their first birth as a symbol of motherhood. It is a symbol of respect and recognition of their contribution to society. Considering that more than 70% of Gasharu Coffee employees are women, this coffee recognises women’s contribution to the coffee community and helps create a transparent framework that benefits them with additional proceedings resulting from their work.

This is not only fair to them. It is also a great contribution to their households and the environment as a whole. It has already been evidenced that by adding more money into the hands of women, communities eradicate malnutrition and illiteracy. It also catalyzes girls’ education. All of these are critical for women empowerment. “The year 1983 was a turning point for my father Celestin. He got married to Marie Gorette, a 22 years-old teacher. With Marie Gorette and his mother in the house, Celestin's coffee business became a true family business. Together, they established more partnerships with coffee farmers and new farms. Because of my mother's teaching background, the business also started to support schooling for children from coffee farming families working with the family.”