Tier 2: Rwanda Dukorere Kawa

TIER 2

Tier 2 coffees are our mid-tier price point coffees. The increased price reflects our higher purchase price of the green coffee, which correlates to higher demand, lower supply, and increased sensory attributes. For those interested in SCA cupping scores, these coffees will consistently be in the mid-to-higher-80’s, which are classified as “excellent.” The cupping score for this coffee was 86.25. For perspective, less than 10% of all coffee harvested worldwide is specialty-grade coffee with a minimum SCA cupping score (sensory analysis) of 80/100.  Only 39% of specialty-grade coffees are estimated to be Tier 2 coffees.

LIMITED QUANTITY 

We only have 67 pounds of this coffee.

FLAVOR PROFILE (What we taste)

As a medium-light roast, this Rwandan coffee is sweet, with dark berry notes that remind us of blackberries and blueberries, and is floral.  Using a scale of 0-10, the cup profile has a higher level of sweetness (8), moderate acidity (6), a medium body (5-6), and no bitterness.

As a medium-dark roast, this Rwandan coffee retains a high level of sweetness and the dark berry notes, which make it so interesting, and finishes with hints of caramelized sugars.  Using a scale of 0-10, the cup profile has a higher level of sweetness (5-7), lower acidity (1-2), a heavier body (6-7), and no bitterness.

RECOMMENDED BREWING METHODS

As a medium-light roast, this coffee is versatile and is great brewed as filter/drip, immersion, cold brew, but is not one have explored brewing as espresso but we will in time and will update this section.  As a lighter roasted coffee, we recommend starting with a water temperature between 201-208F depending on brew method as lighter roasts are more prone to under extraction.  If the coffee tastes sour, 1) grind finer, 2) gradually increase the water temperature, and/or decrease the amount of ground coffee or water used to increase the extraction.  If the coffee tastes bitter and over extracted, 1) coarsen up the grind size, 2) gradually decrease the water temperature, and/or 3) increase the amount of ground coffee or decrease the amount of water used.  For filter/drip and immersion, we recommend starting with a brewing ratio of 1:15 (e.g., 20 grams of coffee to 300 grams of water), but this again is an area you will adjust for taste preferences.  If you decide to brew it as espresso, we would recommend using a higher water temperature (e.g., 203-205F) if your machine allows and starting with a 1:3 ratio (e.g., 18 grams of coffee to 54 grams of coffee in the cup), but experimenting with longer and shorter ratios until you find the balance of flavors you prefer.  

As a medium-dark roast, this coffee is versatile and is great brewed as filter/drip, immersion, cold brew, and espresso.  We recommend starting with a water temperature of 198-201F depending on the brew method as darker roasts are more prone to over extraction.  If the coffee tastes bitter and over extracted, 1) coarsen up the grind size, 2) gradually decrease the water temperature, and/or 3) increase the amount of ground coffee or decrease the amount of water used. For filter/drip and immersion, we recommend starting with a brewing ratio of 1:15 (e.g., 20 grams of coffee to 300 grams of water), but this again is an area you will adjust for taste preferences.  For espresso, we would recommend starting with a water temperature of 200-202F and a 1:2 ratio, but be open to experimenting with smaller and larger ratios to find the balance of flavors you prefer.

ABOUT THIS COFFEE 

Producer: Nova Coffee and Dukorer Kawa Cooperative

Country: Rwanda

Continent: Africa

Region: Northern Province

Varietals: Red Bourbon

Process: Anaerobic Natural 

Altitude/elevation: 1800-2000 MASL

Green Coffee Certifications: None

Harvest Period: March to July 2025

Transparency

Want to learn more about this coffee and the producers who make it possible?  Want to learn more about the prices we paid for this coffee?  We paid $9.70 per pound for the green coffee from Showroom Coffee.  Our goal is to create more transparency about our purchasing decisions so that you can make as informed a buying decision as possible.