Burundi: CAFEX, Natural

CAFEX was founded by a Belgian-Burundian couple who aimed to merge the coffee production of their ancestral lands with sustainable development and a commitment to improving the lives of the local community. CAFEX has established a profitable business model that benefits all parties through mutual participation with growers.

The CAFEX station has had a positive impact on families in the region. Located in an underdeveloped town, the station provides employment opportunities for both men and women, offering better salaries that enhance their quality of life. Seasonal workers can earn additional income, enabling them to access medical care or purchase books for their children’s education. Unlike many coffee producers who face long waits for final payment, CAFEX offers weekly payments to growers, ensuring a steady income throughout the coffee harvest season.

Cafex is committed to sustainability in several impactful ways:

• Eco-Friendly Farming: CAFEX collaborates with local farmers to implement sustainable agricultural practices. This includes using organic farming methods and reducing the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers.
• Water Conservation: The washing station at CAFEX is designed to minimize water usage. They employ water recycling systems to ensure that water is reused efficiently during the coffee processing stages.
• Renewable Energy: CAFEX has invested in renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to power their operations. This reduces their carbon footprint and reliance on non-renewable energy.
• Waste Management: CAFEX has a comprehensive waste management system in place. They compost coffee pulp and other organic waste, turning it into fertilizer for local farms. Additionally, they recycle materials used in packaging and processing.
• Community Development: Beyond environmental sustainability, CAFEX focuses on social sustainability by providing fair wages and improving the quality of life for local communities. This includes offering educational programs and healthcare access to workers and their families.

These practices not only help protect the environment but also ensure that the local community benefits from the coffee production process.

Superior quality ripe cherries are selected from daily pickings and sun-dried on raised African beds. They are turned every two hours during the initial days to ensure even fermentation and covered during the midday heat to prevent sun damage.

Operating the washing station is a significant challenge. Farmers spend all day handpicking their coffee cherries, which arrive at the CAFEX washing station by sunset. The station’s workers handle the coffee with great care. Processing occurs at night, while cherry reception happens from sunrise until the early hours of the night, allowing farmers to concentrate on delivering the highest quality.

There's lots of funky bruised plum at the start of this cup but with a fresh raspberry note balancing it. As it cools, there's a hint of honey and an unusual aftertaste of Dandelion and Burdock.

• Country: Burundi
• Region: North East Burundi
  
• Mill: CAFEX Kayanza
• Producers: Small Holder Farmers
• Altitude: 1,600 - 2,000 m.a.s.l.
• Processing method: Natural
• Varietal: Bourbon

Tasting Notes: Bruised plum, raspberry, honey, Dandelion & Burdock.

Cup of Excellence Cupping Scores

• Clean cup: (1–8): 6
• Sweetness: (1–8): 6.5
• Acidity: (1–8): 6
• Mouthfeel: (1–8): 6.5
• Flavour: (1–8): 6
• Aftertaste: (1–8): 6.5
• Balance: (1–8): 6
• Overall: (1–8): 6.5
• Correction:(+36): +36
• Total (max. 100): 86

Roast Information:
Medium to medium dark: push the coffee steadily through looking for the end of the gap, maybe a few pops of second as you finish the roast, no more.