How Much Is Rwandan Coffee Per Pound? Mushonyi Washed Bourbon

If you’ve ever wondered how much a pound of Rwandan coffee really costs—or why some Rwandan lots win global awards while others don’t—you’re not alone. With so many variables in farming, processing, and export, the price of a single origin can vary wildly. This article breaks down one standout example: a COE-winning lot from Rwanda’s Mushonyi Washing Station, processed as washed Bourbon at high altitude.

A 1-pound bag of this freshly roasted Rwandan coffee typically costs between $8 and $12, depending on import, roast level, and retailer. That puts it in the mid-to-high range for specialty African single origins—but the cup quality justifies the price.

Why Mushonyi Washing Station Stands Out

Mushonyi Washing Station isn’t just another smallholder processor. It holds an incredible track record: in 2010, it won the Cup of Excellence (COE) Rwanda. Then in 2011, it secured four placements in one competition—1st, 12th, 16th, and 28th. That level of consistency places it among the most awarded stations in East Africa.

How Rwandan Coffee Is Typically Produced

Most Rwandan coffee is grown by smallholders who deliver ripe cherries to central washing stations. At Mushonyi, the process is meticulous:

• Cherries are hand-sorted to remove underripe or damaged fruit.
• Skins are removed, then beans undergo 12–18 hours of cool-water fermentation.
• After fermentation, mucilage is washed away in channels.
• Beans are dried on raised beds for up to several days, with constant hand-turning to ensure even drying down to 14% moisture.

The Mushonyi 2015 Harvest: What Makes It Special

This particular lot comes from the 2015 harvest (roughly June–September), sourced directly from the Mushonyi Washing Station in Rwanda’s Western Province. The station sits in the Rutsiro District, north of Nyamasheke, along the shores of Lake Kivu. The region benefits from:

• High elevation: 1,827 meters above sea level
• Annual rainfall exceeding 1,500 mm
• Volcanic soils rich in nutrients

The coffee is grown by 1,756 smallholder farmers, each cultivating around 253 coffee trees. That adds up to a collectively managed, high-quality supply chain built on long-term relationships.

Flavor Profile: What’s In the Cup?

This Bourbon variety delivers a classic clean cup:

• Flavor notes: red apple, cherry, cinnamon, honey
• Sweetness: bright and balanced
• Finish: cinnamon, almond, chocolate

The washed process enhances clarity and accentuates the fruity and floral qualities typical of high-altitude Rwandan Bourbons.

Bean Details at a Glance

• Country: Rwanda
• Region: Western Province, Rutsiro District
• Processing: Washed, raised bed dried
• Variety: BM-139 (Bourbon)
• Altitude: 1,827 m
• Processing Station: Mushonyi Washing Station
• Farmers: 1,756 smallholders (~253 trees each)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Rwandan coffee cost per pound?

A high-quality Rwandan single origin like the Mushonyi Bourbon lot typically costs between $8 and $12 per pound retail, factoring in import, roasting, and packaging. Auction lots or COE winners may be priced higher depending on scarcity and demand.

What is the Mushonyi Washing Station known for?

Mushonyi Washing Station is renowned for producing award-winning coffees, including a 2010 Cup of Excellence victory and four top-30 placements in the 2011 COE competition (1st, 12th, 16th, and 28th).

Where is the Rutsiro District in Rwanda?

Rutsiro is located in Rwanda’s Western Province, north of Nyamasheke and adjacent to Lake Kivu. The area features high altitudes, volcanic soils, and consistent rainfall—ideal for growing specialty coffee.

What coffee variety is used in this Mushonyi lot?

This lot is planted with the BM-139 Bourbon variety, a classic Bourbon cultivar known for its balanced cup, medium acidity, and susceptibility to disease. Bourbon is one of Rwanda’s dominant coffee varieties.

How is the coffee processed at Mushonyi?

The coffee is processed using the washed method: cherries are sorted, depulped, fermented for 12–18 hours in cool water, washed to remove mucilage, and then dried on raised beds until moisture drops below 14%.

What does this Rwandan coffee taste like?

The cup offers red apple, cherry, and cinnamon notes, with a sweet and balanced profile. The finish includes hints of almond, chocolate, and honey, typical of high-grown Bourbon varieties processed with care.

Recommended FrontStreet Rwandan-Style Bourbon Beans

For fans of this Mushonyi Rwandan Bourbon lot, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Rwanda Red Bourbon. Grown at similar altitudes and processed to highlight bright acidity, it offers notes of red berries and citrus with a clean, sweet finish. Also consider their Brazil Queen Manor Yellow Bourbon for a creamy, balanced contrast, or their Brazilian Red Bourbon for more wine-like fruit tones. All are expertly roasted for filter brewing. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.