Businde Coffee Washing Station, located in the Kayanza District of Burundi, stands out in the coffee industry for its impressive history, including an accolade from the Cup of Excellence. Unique in its approach, Businde is one of the few washing stations in East Africa to cultivate its own coffee plants, diverging from the typical model where smallholder farmers sell their coffee cherries to washing facilities. This initiative is particularly exciting given the high quality and noted sweetness of Businde’s coffee, coupled with the station's exemplary processing facilities.

The station's location within a Twa community area adds to its distinctiveness. The Twa, being the least populous of the ethnic groups in Rwanda and Burundi, are often marginalized. While Rwanda has moved away from using ethnic classifications, in Burundi, these distinctions are still acknowledged. Located near the Rwandan border in northern Kayanza, Businde CWS employs many from the local Twa community, playing a vital role in supporting this often overlooked group.

Businde's commitment extends to both the environment and fair labor practices. The station processes cherries from around 650 local farming families, ensuring fair compensation by paying nearly 60% above the standard rate for casual labor in Burundi and offering a 20% premium above the local market rate to its producers this season. Environmental stewardship is also a priority, with the station distributing coffee pulp compost as fertilizer and donating seedlings to local farmers. Businde also cultivates over 1000 trees around the station. Their natural coffee processing involves meticulous care, floating the cherries and then drying them for up to 32 days on raised beds, ensuring a uniform and high-quality product. This holistic approach positions Businde CWS as a leader in sustainable and socially responsible coffee production.

Enjoy!

—Rosso Coffee Roasters