Burundi

Tasting notes: You get a hit of strawberry milkshake on the nose (the fancy stuff from M&S) then a really juicy mixed berry taste awaits.

Region: Ngozi Province

Altitude: 1,800 m.a.s.l.

Producer: Bavyeyi IV

Average rainfall: 1,100-1,300 mm/anno

Varieties: Arabica, Bourbon

Harvest period: March - June

Processing: Natural

BavyeyiWashingStationis inNgoziProvince, northern Burundi, the name region

Bavyeyi means “parents” in Kirundi and carries deep significance. Itreflects

notonlytheheritageofthelandbutalsothegenerationsoffamilieswhohave

cultivated it with care.Bavyeyi IVis the fourth washing station under this

name, and it continues to build on a legacy of community, quality, and shared

purpose.

Situated at 1,800 meters above sea level, Bavyeyi IV is

dedicated to representing and processing the work of around

2,000 smallholder farmers. Among them, around 530 men

and 300 women contribute directly to the production of this

particular lot, which is known for its clarity, sweetness, and

vibrant acidity.

The harvest season runs from March to June, when ripe cherries are

handpicked and brought to the station for processing. Bavyeyi specialises in

the natural process, a method that allows the coffee to ferment slowly as it

dries in the open air. After flotation to remove defects, cherries are spread

thinly on raised African beds, where they dry over 21 to 30 days, depending on

the weather conditions.

The station uses sun-drying techniques and minimal input of fertiliser, which is rarely

used by farmers due to the high cost, making the coffee organically grown by

default.Theresultisaproductthatisnotonlyenvironmentallyfriendlybutalso

deeply expressive of the region’s terroir.

Bavyeyi, like other washing stations associated with JNP, is part of the

Dushime®program, which supports traceability, farmer empowerment, and

quality improvement.Farmersherebenefitfromtrainingprogramsofferedby

JNPCoffee, including workshops on cherry selection, processing, and even

cupping.

What sets Bavayi IV apart is its deep connection to place and people. TheThe

station is in a region known as “the land of a thousand hills,” where the

Temperate climate and fertile soils create ideal conditions for coffee

cultivation.Unlike more remote areas, Bavyeyi IV benefits from relatively good

infrastructure, including nearby tar mac roads, making it more accessible for

farmers and buyers alike.The story of Bavyeyi is also personal for JNPC Coffee

founder Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian, whose family roots trace back to this very

region. Inspired by stories of her mother harvesting coffee cherries to support

her education, Jeanine has worked to ensure that the farmers of Ngozi have

access to the tools, training, and market connections they need to thrive.