SUMO - Licobu Espresso (Burundi)

Producer: Licobu

Variety: Red Bourbon
Process: Natural
Altitude: 1500 - 1800 masl
Harvested: 2023/2024

Cupping notes: Red fruits jam, floral like coffee blossom, cherry, blackcurrant, concord grape. Sweet, round and jammy.

We’re proud to present our newest coffee sourced from Licobu, a local coffee processing and exporting company in Burundi, managed by the dedicated Freddie Hakizimana. Licobu is committed to elevating the quality of Burundian coffee while improving the livelihoods of small coffee farmers.

At Licobu, coffee cherries are processed at three coffee washing stations (wet mills) located in the provinces of Muyinga, Ngozi, and Kirundo, each staffed by well-trained local farmers. Working with around 3,500 smallholder farmers and employing 360 daily workers during the coffee season, Licobu ensures both the quality of the coffee and the well-being of the community.

Licobu is driven by principles of environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic sustainability. They are committed to supporting their farmers while producing coffee that reflects the best qualities of Burundi’s unique terroir.

This coffee has undergone an intricate natural processing method to bring out the best in every bean. The cherries are dried under the open sun for the first 4 to 5 days, ensuring careful monitoring to prevent mold. Once the cherries reach the correct humidity, they are moved to the shade and turned every 3 hours to ensure even drying. This slow, methodical process, which takes at least 40 days, allows the coffee to reach the perfect balance of 11.25% to 12.5% humidity, resulting in a beautifully nuanced cup.