Coffees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo remain vanishingly rare in the specialty world, which makes this washed Bourbon from the Muungano Cooperative all the more remarkable. Grown by 4,400 smallholder farmers along Lake Kivu's western shore in South Kivu, this release represents a decade-long partnership built on continuity, quality, and shared purpose. Muungano—meaning "togetherness" in Swahili—has invested in washing stations, cupping labs, and on-site roasting training while farming the region's historic Bourbon trees at elevations between 1,480 and 2,000 meters. The result is a coffee with warming complexity and gentle sweetness that stands out while remaining approachable.
Tasting Notes
Expect clove-like spice to anchor the cup, creating a warming, tea-like foundation that carries through the entire experience. A delicate honeydew melon sweetness emerges mid-palate, adding juiciness without overwhelming the spice. There's a subtle root beer candy note in the finish—enough to add intrigue and depth without veering into novelty. The body is medium and silky, with a balanced acidity that brightens rather than dominates. The finish lingers with spice and gentle fruit, clean and satisfying. This is a coffee that transports you to a specific place while feeling familiar enough to return to daily.
Brew Methods
The washed process and Bourbon varietal make this coffee versatile across methods. Pour over (Kalita Wave, V60, or Stagg [X]) will highlight the melon sweetness and tea-like clarity, letting the clove spice shine without heaviness. French press brings out more body and rounds the spice into something warming and full. For espresso, expect a structured shot with spiced sweetness and balanced acidity—pull it a touch longer (1:2.5 ratio) to emphasize the fruit and tame any sharper edges. Aeropress works beautifully for travel or experimentation, offering control over body and brightness depending on your brew time and water ratio.
About Kaldi's Coffee
Kaldi's Coffee, based in St. Louis, has built its reputation on direct relationships and quality-first sourcing. Their decade-long partnership with Muungano reflects a commitment to continuity and mutual growth, bringing rare and meaningful coffees to the specialty market year after year.
Clive's team is here to help you dial in grind settings, recommend equipment pairings, and ensure this rare coffee shines in your setup. Whether you're brewing your first pour over or fine-tuning espresso, we're ready to guide you.
Coffees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo remain vanishingly rare in the specialty world, which makes this washed Bourbon from the Muungano Cooperative all the more remarkable. Grown by 4,400 smallholder farmers along Lake Kivu's western shore in South Kivu, this release represents a decade-long partnership built on continuity, quality, and shared purpose. Muungano—meaning "togetherness" in Swahili—has invested in washing stations, cupping labs, and on-site roasting training while farming the region's historic Bourbon trees at elevations between 1,480 and 2,000 meters. The result is a coffee with warming complexity and gentle sweetness that stands out while remaining approachable.
Tasting Notes
Expect clove-like spice to anchor the cup, creating a warming, tea-like foundation that carries through the entire experience. A delicate honeydew melon sweetness emerges mid-palate, adding juiciness without overwhelming the spice. There's a subtle root beer candy note in the finish—enough to add intrigue and depth without veering into novelty. The body is medium and silky, with a balanced acidity that brightens rather than dominates. The finish lingers with spice and gentle fruit, clean and satisfying. This is a coffee that transports you to a specific place while feeling familiar enough to return to daily.
Brew Methods
The washed process and Bourbon varietal make this coffee versatile across methods. Pour over (Kalita Wave, V60, or Stagg [X]) will highlight the melon sweetness and tea-like clarity, letting the clove spice shine without heaviness. French press brings out more body and rounds the spice into something warming and full. For espresso, expect a structured shot with spiced sweetness and balanced acidity—pull it a touch longer (1:2.5 ratio) to emphasize the fruit and tame any sharper edges. Aeropress works beautifully for travel or experimentation, offering control over body and brightness depending on your brew time and water ratio.
About Kaldi's Coffee
Kaldi's Coffee, based in St. Louis, has built its reputation on direct relationships and quality-first sourcing. Their decade-long partnership with Muungano reflects a commitment to continuity and mutual growth, bringing rare and meaningful coffees to the specialty market year after year.
Clive's team is here to help you dial in grind settings, recommend equipment pairings, and ensure this rare coffee shines in your setup. Whether you're brewing your first pour over or fine-tuning espresso, we're ready to guide you.
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