Matongo (from JNP)
From Kayanza Province, known for producing some of the highest quality coffees in Burundi, this particular coffee was a first-place winner of the coveted Cup of Excellence in 2013.
This coffee is processed through one of Burundi’s few double-fermentation
washing stations. After de-pulping, the coffee undergoes an overnight fermentation
under the tank for 8-12 hours. Instead of being cleaned immediately, it is
transferred to another tank for a shorter period of fermentation before the
mucilage is removed, after which it is moved to raised African beds for drying. In the
10+ years that Jeanine has worked in Burundi, she mentioned that she has not
often seen double fermentation in the country.
Women farmers contribute to tending and sorting this coffee in this high-altitude
microclimate where tea, bananas, beans, and cassava plants are also grown. Jeanine
has known these farmers for a long time, establishing a close bond over the years.
The famous Kibira National Park (Rainforest) runs through this specific area of
Kayanza Province, the unusually cooler climate that contributes to the
distinctiveness of the coffee.
JNP Coffee
“We are here to make a difference and experience joy in the process.”
Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian, founder of JNP Coffee
JNP Coffee was founded by Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian in 2012, to realize the potential of the exceptional unknown coffees of Burundi, her home country. Based in the Burundian capitol of Bujumbura, JNP partners with producers all across the small East African country, with a prime focus on gender equality, financial literacy, and leadership development (and obviously producing excellent coffees!).
JNP also partners with the Burundi chapter of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) to support and empower women coffee growers. This partnership is what led to the development and expansion of the Dushime Program, which offers a bonus payment for high quality harvest results, given directly to the members of IWCA Burundi. This program has brought positive change to thousands of women and their families in Burundi, allowing for advanced education, financial stability, and investment in their coffee plantations.
Dushime means “Let’s be thankful” in Kirundi, the national language of Burundi.
Their belief that quality coffee can create a hopeful future is one that resonates with us at Tenfold on so many levels, and we are indeed thankful to work with a company like JNP!
