Nkonge Hill, Washed

Nkonge Hill, Washed

Stewed peach, cherries & juicy mandarin.

Our relationship with Long Miles Coffee in Burundi began back in 2015, when our green buyer Jacob first visited in search of exceptional coffee that makes a difference. Over the years, this partnership has brought us many remarkable coffees, each a reflection of the land and the people behind them. One of those standout regions producing consistently brilliant coffee comes from Nkonge Hill. Life moves gently here. High in Burundi’s lush terrain, Nkonge is a place of stillness, spring-fed soils, and slow-growing cherries nurtured by rich biodiversity and generations of farming knowledge. The 5,334 trees grow on the slopes alongside those of our neighbours, directly across from the Heza Washing Station. This lot has been processed using both washed and natural methods. The washed coffee goes through a meticulous double fermentation, followed by traditional "footing" to remove mucilage, then slow-dried on raised beds. The natural process sees whole cherries dried in their skin over 25–30 days, gradually developing a deep red to purple-black hue and rich fruit sweetness. At the heart of this coffee’s quality is the work of the Coffee Scouts — like Venerande, one of the first on Nkonge Hill. She empowers farmers with sustainable practices, from pruning and mulching to pest control and harvest techniques. When the program began in 2018, Five Senses was proud to support the inaugural team of Coffee Scouts by donating boots — small but vital gear for those walking the hills to improve coffee and livelihoods. From the hills of Burundi to your cup — this coffee is a vibrant expression of partnership, patience and purpose, with flavours of stewed peach, cherries and juicy mandarin.