GATARE

The Farm

Within the Gatare community, smallholder farmers deliver their cherries to the Mahembe washing station for processing. The farms are predominantly small, family-run operations. Families manage plant care and cherry picking, often cultivating additional crops for personal consumption.

The season in Rwanda can run from March to August, but for the most part, cherries for Gatare are picked between May and July.

The Process

In Rwanda, the prevailing cool climate throughout the season plays a pivotal role in controlling the fermentation process. First, the skin, pulp, and approximately 70% of the mucilage are removed. The coffee is then dry fermented for 10-12 hours. After this, the parchment is graded and washed in channels, followed by a separation into two grades based on density. It is then soaked in clean water tanks for 16 hours. The beans are laid out on African drying beds for a span of up to 21 days. Throughout this period, they are covered by shade nets during the hottest hours, at night, and whenever it rains.