HORIZON GIKOMA - Rwanda Espresso

Of course, there will be anotherCoffee from Rwandawith us! After all, Rwanda is one of our favorite specialty coffee origins. This time we have opted for a classic washed coffee. The variety is, like almost all coffees from Rwanda, Red Bourbon.And of course, the HORIZON GIKOMA is not only available as a filter roast, but also as an espresso roast.

As an espresso, the HORIZON is particularly convincing. We can clearly tasteBlackberry and plumto taste, followed byCherry and lime. Even a hint of milk chocolate is noticeable here, as well as honey. In the aftertaste, thetart grapefruitvery refreshing.

The espresso ispleasantly sweet with soft body.TheAcidity is intense and harmonious. Complex espresso, Excellentyummy!

Aromas: blackberry, plum, cherry, grapefruit, lime, honey

Body: soft

Roast level: Espresso - light

Recommended for:Portafilter, AeroPress, Espresso maker

Cupping Score: 86.25

Importer: Falcon Coffees

Highland coffee from Rwanda

• Variety: Redbourbon
• producer: Horizon Washing Station
• Region:Huye Mountain Area
• Mounting height:1650 - 2000 masl
• Harvest:2023 / 2024
• Processing:Washed

The Horizon Washing Station

Not far from its sister station Maraba, the Horizon station is located in the neighboring Kigoma sector. The site is only 20 km from Huye, the capital of the region, near the small town of Simbi.

The story behind Horizon's name is curious and slightly disturbing. At some point after the Washing Station was built in 2006, production was halted when the original owner was arrested and imprisoned for his involvement in the 1994 genocide. The Washing Station remained dormant until RTC, in collaboration with its new owner, Fidel, restarted production.

Since Fidel is not originally from the area, his takeover of the Washing Station was met with some hostility from the local community.

When you drive through the city of Kigali, you will see “Horizon” written on many trucks and buildings.

The Horizon Group, whose business is the construction and repair of infrastructure, is actually owned by the Rwandan Ministry of Defense.

To annoy the locals, Fdel named the Washing Station "Horizon - Supreme Coffee" to make it clear that he was at odds with them. Fortunately, the joke was taken as playful rather than malicious, and the station has become a positive asset to the community through its work for local people. The station employs 94 people, including 4 full-time employees. 70% of the employees are women.

Horizon is one of the most beautiful places in the Southern Province. The small, 3-hectare area lies in the valley and is surrounded by steep slopes. Pineapple and avocado trees grow along the roads.

The washing station is at 1680 meters, but the farms around the station are much higher, up to 2000 meters. 1200 farmers, whose farms are all within a 2km radius, bring their coffee cherries to the washing station.

The average farm size is 7000 trees (3 ha), but some have only 100 trees. In 2019, the first year production resumed, the station processed 450 tons of cherries.

All 1200 farmers are members of the ATP. The station provides the farmers with organic fertilizer consisting of recycled coffee cherry pulp that is fermented with lime and molasses to produce EM2.

Brew Advice:

Portafilter:

• 19.5g coffee - 50g water
• Reference time 33s
• Temperature 95°

Pressure profile:

• 8s 4 bars; 25s 9Bars
• any classic espresso machine without pressure profile is also suitable

AeroPress:

• AeroPress inverted.
• 17g coffee; ( 20 clicks)
• Pour in 65ml water (88°)
• Stir briefly and fill up to 220ml, stir again
• at 1:10 minutes start to press slowly
• finished at 1:45 minutes.