Tangara, in Ngozi Province, has become one of Burundi’s key coffee-producing regions following national initiatives to democratize coffee cultivation.

Located at 1,700 meters above sea level, the Gihehe Washing Station receives cherries from about 1,300 smallholder farmers. Since its establishment in 1984, it has played a central role in supporting local coffee production. Beyond processing, the station also contributes to the community by providing livestock, fertilizers, and seedlings, offering special premiums based on contest results or sales prices, and setting up collection points across the region to assist farmers who cannot easily deliver cherries directly.

One of its notable features is the station’s embrace of the natural process, still relatively uncommon in Burundi. After delivery, cherries are immediately cleaned of impurities in tanks, then spread out on drying tables by lot and hand-sorted. They are dried over 3–4 weeks, with protective covers shielding them from rainfall and temperature fluctuations. This careful management ensures the coffee reaches a stable moisture content of about 11.5%.

The result is a coffee with excellent balance—lingering sweetness matched by deep, resonant body.

Region: Tangara, Ngozi Province
Station: Gihehe Washing Station
Altitude: 1,500 – 1,800 m
Variety: Bourbon
Process: Natural
Flavor Notes: Fig, Raspberry, Chocolate
Roast: Medium