Rwanda Kinini Coffee is more than just a specialty coffee; it represents a project centred on sustainability, empowerment, and outstanding quality. Grown in the Rulindo District of Rwanda, Kinini coffee is produced by a cooperative of over 620 farmers, 85% of whom are women.
At Java Republic, we are proud to supply this incredible coffee and support its mission. Recently, we had the honour of hosting Jacqueline Turner, co-founder of R & B Import Export, at our roastery. Her insights into the journey of the Kinini coffee left us inspired and reaffirmed our commitment to ethical and sustainable coffee sourcing.
What is Rwanda Kinini Coffee?
Rwanda Kinini is a high-altitude specialty coffee grown in the volcanic soil of the Rulindo District. Known for its complex flavour profile, bright acidity, and smooth body, it features tasting notes of candied orange, red grapefruit, brown sugar, honey, and grapes.
Our Quality and Sustainability Manager, Jolanta, immediately selected Rwanda Kinini during a cupping session at DRWakefield’s Full Circle event back in 2023, captivated by its exceptional taste. When we learned about the empowering project behind the beans, we knew this was the coffee we wanted to support!
The People Behind Kinini
“I lived in England, but my heart was in the village with the kids and widows of Kinini.” – Jacqueline Turner
Beyond its taste, Rwanda Kinini stands out because of its sustainable and ethical farming practices, ensuring that every cup supports a greater mission.
Kinini started as the charity New Beginning in 2008, aiming to support Rwandan citizens in the village of Kinini, displaced by the 1994 genocide. In 2012, Jacqueline Turner and Malcolm founded R&B Import Export to create a sustainable revenue stream for the charity, recognising that coffee farming was the key to achieving this goal.
Since then, 10% of the price that coffee importers pay for the coffee goes to A New Beginning Rwanda, funding projects like healthcare, clean water access, and school infrastructure.
Kinini has developed a global reputation for the speciality coffees they produce and have become synonymous with positive impact in Rwanda.
“There is coffee, there is loyalty and there is trust – now we have to choose who we work with”.
Jacqueline has been working with DRWakefield since 2017 and selectively chooses coffee traders who share her vision.
Our Event with Jacqueline Turner – Insights & Inspiration
To celebrate International Women’s Day and highlight the inspiring story behind Rwanda Kinini Coffee, we were delighted to host Jacqueline Turner and Malcolm Clear at our roastery. They were joined by Henry Clifford from DRWakefield, along with invited guests and staff.
Jolanta began the day by giving Jacqueline and Malcolm a tour of our carbon-neutral roastery in Dublin 15, showcasing the process we follow when roasting the Rwanda Kinini green beans.
Later during the panel discussion, Jacqueline referred to this tour with Jolanta as she saw the passion in Jolanta’s eyes and knew her “coffee was in good hands”.
“When a woman puts her heart into something, they just do it with passion”
The event kicked off with Jacqueline sharing her firsthand experiences of founding the charity, the importance of working with women, and the profound impact the project has had on the community.
“I work with women in the village and the money goes into the women’s account. Since we started working with the women in the village, kids started going back to school, houses were improved, and they started getting health insurance. The women look after the coffee, how they look after their baby – with love”
As a company committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing, Java Republic is proud to support projects like Kinini. It was an honour to hear Jacqueline’s insights and to share this special moment with our coffee community.
“I am Jacqueline Turner. That is my story to improve and empower other people’s lives who need a chance, who need their voice to be heard”.
Why Rwanda Kinini Coffee Deserves a Spot in Your Grinder
If you’re looking for a coffee that tastes incredible and makes a positive impact, Rwanda Kinini is a perfect choice. Here’s why:
Sustainably grown – Kinini use organic fertiliser in place of traditional fertilisers to improve soil health and control disease.
Women-led initiative – Empowering female farmers and providing economic independence to many widows in Rwanda.
Exceptional flavour – Bright acidity and a smooth finish with an SCA score of 86. Rwanda Kinini was awarded Silver at Blas na hEireann 2024 Awards in the ‘Single Origin Coffee’ category.
Ethically sourced – Every purchase directly benefits the Kinini community.
To truly appreciate the story behind each sip, we recommend brewing it as a pour-over or filter coffee to highlight its delicate flavours.
How You Can Support It
Kinini’s journey is far from over. The cooperative continues to invest in improving processing techniques, expanding training programs, and increasing market reach to ensure long-term sustainability for the communities.
As a coffee lover, you can support this project by:
- Choosing Rwanda Kinini Coffee for your café, restaurant, hotel or office.
- Spreading awareness about ethical coffee sourcing and its impact.
- Engaging with brands like Java Republic that prioritise sustainable partnerships.
Every cup of Kinini coffee tells a story – a story of resilience and empowerment. Join us in celebrating and supporting this incredible coffee – try Rwanda Kinini Coffee here. Or serve it to your customers – call our customer service team on 01 880 9300.
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