Country: Rwanda
Region: Gakenke
Farm/Co-operative: 3 Aftrican Sisters, CWS #7 washing station
Altitude: 1750-1850m above sea level
Species: Arabica
Varietal: Bourbon
Processing Method: Honey Process, Sun Dried on Raised Beds
Supplier: FTA Specialty Coffee
Tasting notes: A juicy bodied coffee with notes of blackberry, dried fruits, molasses, and a lingering sweet finish.
Our story of 3 African Sisters comes from the African custom where extended families are referred to as sisters and brothers. Lake Kivu shares its borders with Rwanda, Burundi and D R Congo. These shores were once one land. We source our green beans from these three countries – Today the coffee beans from each of these origins are distinctive in their aromas and flavours.
It is very common for a Rwandese family to have sisters residing in these neighboring countries. Like sisters from one mother they too were separated each developing their own unique qualities, hence the story 3 African Sisters.
“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.”
3 African Sisters strives to improve the economic opportunities for Rwandese women coffee farmers, by empowering them with the prospect of marketing their unique Specialty Coffee to the world.
Living in Rwanda amongst the coffee farmers, at grass root levels, gives us the inspiration and motivation to make a sustainable difference in their daily lives.
By giving the support needed to improve the quality of the coffee here in Rwanda, paying attention to every aspect and detail from the nurturing of the coffee plants to the harvesting, the processing and all the way throught to the final cup, we at 3 African Sisters secure a promise for a sustainable, richer future.
Our women farmers are an integral part of the value chain from the grower to the consumer. We work closely with with them and our partner washing stations, making sure the coffee you are drinking has been grown and harvested in a sustainable, ethical and responsible way.
We promote transparency, traceability and accountability.
“We created the 3 African Sisters brand, as we wanted a coffee that portrayed Rwanda and its people for who and what they are today, a positive light and rising star, going forward with strength. Our coffee represents the heart, soul, and determination of the Rwandese people in this tiny oasis in the heart of Africa.
We chose the face of women as our brand image, as I found it has been the women here in Rwanda who have played such a great part and been instrumental in changing the image from one of hate to one of hope. I too would like to contribute and influence changing the coffee culture here in Rwanda together with our 3 African Sisters coffee brand.” – Tanya
