Sugary sweet with tangy fruit acidity, spices and chocolate.
Category - Easy Going
(Find out more about our coffee categories here.)
Roast - Espresso & Filter
Origin - DR Congo
Washing Station - Nyabirehe Micro-Station
Cooperative - SOPACDI
Region - Kivu
Varietal - Bourbon, Caturra, Catuai
Process - Washed
Import Partner - Cafe Imports
SOPACDI is a cooperative with 5300+ farmers from different ethnic groups in the Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, producing some of the finest coffee in Africa. After years of conflict and civil war, their coffee promotes working together for a better future.
Solidarité Paysanne pour la Promotion des Actions Café et Développement Intégral (SOPACDI) was founded in 2001 but due to turmoil in the region, production could not begin until 2008. From the 19 founding members the group has grown its membership to now over 5,300 producers. The members are grouped into 43 “cells” that are spread across 8 sectors in eastern Congo. Women make up 29% of the membership, and they were Fairtrade certified in 2011.
The members of SOPACDI grow their coffee near Lake Kivu in the Congolese highlands between 1460m to over 2000m above sea level. The plentiful rainfall and mild climate create ideal conditions for producing high quality coffees. Producers pick ripe coffee cherries and transport them to SOPACDI’s washing stations. Coffee is then washed and dried in the sun, before being transported by boat for secondary processing in Goma. After this the coffee is transported to the Kenyan port of Mombasa or Tanzanian port Dar-es-Salam for international export. SOPACDI owns 4 central washing stations, central drying station and a cupping laboratory.
We are really excited about this coffee as it is our first offering from Congo. We enjoy this coffee as a sweet and balanced filter option or a bright and vibrant espresso option.
