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    D.R. Congo Katana K3 Sundried Organic / AtS+ (2022)

    Creamy milk chocolate, light florals, soft mouthfeel
    On Sale
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    Bag Weight 60 KG BAG
    Status Spot
    Lot Number P8001550-1
    • Out of Stock Bag(s)
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    main product photo

    About This Coffee

    Katana Coffee Washing Station (CWS) is one of 7 washing stations belonging to Virunga Coffee Company, setup by Schluter (now Olam Specialty Europe) in 2012 to produce high quality coffees for the specialty market and increase premiums for the thousands of smallholder farmers in the region. The strategy for Virunga has been three-fold: 1) To increase production through good agronomic practice 2) to improve quality through education and strict guidelines for production and processing 3) to obtain internationally recognised certification in order to generate better revenue for farmers.

    Virunga now have now trained over 2,300 famers in GAP (Good agricultural practices) and obtained organic certification for these farmers in the Isale region. They have 7 full time field officers (trained agronomists) working in the region and have planted over 400,000 seedlings to be distributed amongst the smallholders in Isale.

    Origin Democratic Republic of Congo
    Subregion South Kivu
    Producer Type Small Holder Farmers
    Wet Mill Katana
    Processing Natural/Dry Processed
    Plant Species Arabica
    Variety Bourbon
    Coffee Grade DRC CA WA KIVU G3 SD
    Screen Size 15 Up
    Certifications Organic certified, AtSource Plus
    Soil Volcanic
    Bag Weight 60 KG BAG

    The Region

    Katana village is located in the South-Kivu (South of Lake Kivu) region, bordered by Uganda to the east. The region has excellent conditions for speciality arabica production with plentiful rainfall, high altitude and highly fertile volcanic soils. The region is also very poverty-stricken and has had a severe lack of infrastructure which has made high quality arabica both difficult to produce and very challenging to export. Virunga Coffee Company has sought to overcome many of these problems through hands-on farmer education and investment in local infrastructure such as roads and bridges. This has allowed quality improvements every season and, in turn, higher premiums for farmers.

    The Process

    Ripe cherries are delivered to the wetmill for careful sorting and oatation in clean water tanks. The ripe cherries sink due to their high density and the oaters are removed and used for lower grade production. The ripe cherries are then dried in the sun on raised African beds for 12 - 15 days until the optimum moisture content has been reached. They must be turned consistently to ensure even drying and prevent mold or overfermentation. Once the coffee has dried it is transported to Butembo for dry-milling, grading, sorting and handpicking (triage), before being bagged in GrainPro for export.

    • Subregion South Kivu
    • Producer Type Small Holder Farmers
    • Wet Mill Katana
    • Processing Natural/Dry Processed
    • Plant Species Arabica
    • Variety Bourbon
    • Screen Size 15 Up
    • Soil Volcanic
    • On Sale Yes
    • Top Lot No
    • Price Per Kg £6.50
    • Status Spot
    • Certifications Organic certified, AtSource Plus
    • Coffee Grade DRC CA WA KIVU G3 SD
    • CTRM Contract Number P8001550-1
    • Origin Democratic Republic of Congo
    • Warehouse Vollers Group Uk