Long Miles | Specialty Coffee Producers

Just east of Gaharo, where the Long Miles journey began, lies Rubirizi Hill, standing at 1,750 meters above sea level. ⁠ ⁠ Life on Rubirizi reflects much of what is typical in rural Burundi: most people are engaged in agriculture, growing food for themselves and their families. Common crops include maize, beans, potatoes, cassava, and, of course, coffee. One distinctive feature of Rubirizi is the presence of mango trees, which set it apart from the surrounding hills.⁠ ⁠ What truly makes Rubirizi unique, however, is its daily market, held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. It serves not only as an economic hub but also as a social gathering place where neighbors connect. The most popular attraction at the market? The banana beer stand.⁠ ⁠ For years, farmers from Rubirizi delivered their coffee to Bukeye, but there was never enough volume to process their beans separately and trace them back to their own hill. With an increase in farmers, however, we finally had enough coffee to distinguish Rubirizi as its own entity, allowing us to showcase its coffee under its own name.⁠ ⁠ This is huge. This means that there is an entire new area of terroir to explore, a hill with a unique microclimate and farmers that influence its own flavor — and it could be yours to share with the world. ⁠ ⁠ Head to the link in our bio to purchase your 2024 Private Auction Collection sample set.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ——⁠ #SpecialtyCoffee #GreenCoffee #CoffeeCulture #Coffee #CoffeeProducer #CoffeeProducers #GreenCoffeeProducer #SingleOrigin #SustainableCoffee #BurundiCoffee #KenyanCoffee #UgandanCoffee #EastAfricanCoffee #SpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #UKSpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #SpecialtyCoffeeAsia #SpecialtyCoffeeMiddleEast⁠

Our desire is to maintain our core value of terroir, or rather, “taste of place”, in each of our lots. By processing honey and natural microlots, it pushes us to be intentional about how we pursue each step. Missing intentionality, or not understanding the process of fermentation and drying, is more like recognizing a taste of process rather than the unique characteristics of its terroir.⁠ ⁠ Taking a honey, natural or washed coffee and putting it through anaerobic fermentation is a form of mystery. It is putting the coffee into darkness. Removing oxygen. It is putting to death the active growth of the seed that wants to become a coffee plant. Out of that tension in the fermentation stage comes the creativity and transformation. And what we can find if we do it with care is a new taste of place. ⁠ ⁠ Through years of process and experimentation on small test batches, we have discovered where to push the limits in fermentation and through processing, and where it becomes just a “hope” of producing something roasters will like. ⁠ ⁠ Whether we’re preparing an auction lot for a competition or any other coffee we offer, our priority remains the taste of place. ⁠ ⁠⁠ Taste the wonders of Burundian coffee in this years Private Auction. Purchase a sample set at the link below. ⁠ https://lnkd.in/gizVbV2C ⁠ ——⁠ #SpecialtyCoffee #GreenCoffee #CoffeeCulture #Coffee #CoffeeProducer #CoffeeProducers #GreenCoffeeProducer #SingleOrigin #SustainableCoffee #BurundiCoffee #KenyanCoffee #UgandanCoffee #EastAfricanCoffee #SpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #UKSpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #SpecialtyCoffeeAsia #SpecialtyCoffeeMiddleEast⁠

Munyinya was the first hill to unveil the exceptional potential of Burundian coffee, known for producing outstanding micro-lots. ⁠ ⁠ Situated just beyond the border of the Bukeye community, the dirt road to Munyinya winds along steep slopes, offering sweeping views of the valleys below. Coffee trees line the gentle incline leading to the town’s small center. Despite its striking beauty, Munyinya was nearly abandoned by Long Miles due to years of farmers delivering subpar cherries.⁠ ⁠ However, a hill with Munyinya's potential is worth the effort, so we committed ourselves to its revival. We rolled up our sleeves and worked tirelessly, day after day, to help unlock the greatness that this hill holds.⁠ ⁠ To try coffee from Munyinya hill, and to potentially secure a whole microlot from Munyinya, head to the link below to purchase a sample set: https://lnkd.in/gizVbV2C ⁠ ⁠ ——⁠ #SpecialtyCoffee #GreenCoffee #CoffeeCulture #Coffee #CoffeeProducer #CoffeeProducers #GreenCoffeeProducer #SingleOrigin #SustainableCoffee #BurundiCoffee #KenyanCoffee #UgandanCoffee #EastAfricanCoffee #SpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #UKSpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #SpecialtyCoffeeAsia #SpecialtyCoffeeMiddleEast⁠

🌱 Potential of #Circularity the Coffee Sector in Kenya and East Africa! 🌱 At Agrisolutions Enterprises Ltd (ASEL), we believe in the power of innovation to drive the future of agriculture, and we’re thrilled to see initiatives like this one shaping the #CircularCoffee economy in our region. Commendable to see Proteen, in partnership with Sucafina (UGACOF) in Uganda, set up the largest coffee-waste-to-organic-fertilizer plant in Uganda, producing up to 100 tonnes of organic fertilizer per month. This initiative not only supports sustainable farming practices but also enhances soil fertility for farmers. Imagine the impact this approach could have on Kenya and East Africa’s coffee sector! From increasing productivity to promoting sustainable practices, the potential is immense. Let’s continue to harness these innovative solutions to empower our coffee farmers, boost our yields, and build a resilient agricultural sector. At ASEL, we are excited to be part of the journey toward transforming East Africa’s coffee industry. Together, we can achieve more! Solidaridad East and Central Africa GIZ Kenya FAO Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Agriculture and Food Authority Henry Kinyua Rainforest Alliance Circular Bionutrient Economy Network Biovision Foundation Denmark in Kenya Sauti Ya Kahawa Global Coffee Platform CGIAR Climate Impact Platform Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) Ziada Solutions Jungle Harvest Limited Long Miles | Specialty Coffee Producers Jane Cheserek-Kipruto Ph.D James Gimase World Coffee Research #AgriSolutions #SustainableAgriculture #CoffeeInnovation #EastAfricaCoffee #CircularEconomy #OrganicFertilizer #KenyaCoffee

Musumba is surrounded by the soft, silvery hues of eucalyptus trees, while smoke drifts from the valley below where brickmakers labor. Beyond coffee, the cultivation of beans and sweet potatoes plays a vital role in sustaining household incomes throughout the year.⁠ ⁠ Farming families in Musumba also grow a diverse array of crops, including cassava, potatoes, maize, peas, bananas, onions, and tea, benefiting from the hill’s fertile soil. The broad canopies of banana trees offer cool, shaded conditions that are ideal for coffee cultivation. The journey from Musumba to the Bukeye Washing Station is an 8-kilometer trek over hills and along narrow dirt paths.⁠ ⁠ Along the way, farmers pass two other washing stations nestled in Musumba’s rolling hills. Yet, they make the arduous journey to Bukeye because they say they’ve found something different with Long Miles—a sense of hope. Unlike much of Burundi, Musumba has remained largely untouched by the waves of war, standing as a peaceful haven amidst the cycles of violence and destruction.⁠ ⁠ Despite the challenges posed by aging coffee trees and neglected farms, Musumba is a hill we are deeply committed to, believing wholeheartedly in its untapped potential.⁠ ⁠ Taste coffee from Musumba Hill yourself by inquiring about a sample set at the link below: https://lnkd.in/eDxkFihP ⁠ ——⁠ #SpecialtyCoffee #GreenCoffee #CoffeeCulture #Coffee #CoffeeProducer #CoffeeProducers #GreenCoffeeProducer #SingleOrigin #SustainableCoffee #BurundiCoffee #KenyanCoffee #UgandanCoffee #EastAfricanCoffee #SpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #UKSpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #SpecialtyCoffeeAsia #SpecialtyCoffeeMiddleEast⁠

Gaharo holds an extraordinary place in the heart of Long Miles Coffee. It is not just another hill in our story, but the very foundation of our journey. ⁠ ⁠ The first washing station built by Long Miles Coffee was established at the base of Gaharo hill, on a plot of land that seemed forgotten by the rest of the world. Yet, to us, it represented promise and possibility. The station was built entirely through the efforts of the Gaharo farmers, who cleared every inch of land themselves, using bricks made from the rich clay found in the valley below. This land was not just transformed into a physical space but became a symbol of what could be achieved when a community comes together.⁠ ⁠ The same farmers who toiled to build the Bukeye washing station from scratch are now the very ones who deliver their ripe cherries to it. Over the years, these farmers have become much more than collaborators—they are our neighbors, partners, and co-workers. Together, we have shared the journey of growth, work, and development, bound by the belief in "twese hamwe," which means "together" in the local Kirundi language. ⁠ ⁠ The hill is also home to a rich tradition of craftsmanship, specifically blacksmithing. Several of Gaharo’s farmers are skilled blacksmiths who transform raw metal into knives, farming tools, and other essential implements. ⁠ ⁠ Want to know more about what makes Gaharo Hill so special? Taste it. Head to the link below to inquire about purchasing a sample set: https://lnkd.in/eDxkFihP ⁠ ——⁠ #SpecialtyCoffee #GreenCoffee #CoffeeCulture #Coffee #CoffeeProducer #CoffeeProducers #GreenCoffeeProducer #SingleOrigin #SustainableCoffee #BurundiCoffee #KenyanCoffee #UgandanCoffee #EastAfricanCoffee #SpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #UKSpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #SpecialtyCoffeeAsia #SpecialtyCoffeeMiddleEast⁠

Our team at Lunar Washing Station is staying busy! Our storyteller on the LMC Uganda Team, Godwin Musema, stays up to date with day to day operations.⁠ ⁠ - Lunar has begun purchasing cherries from local farmers to begin the processing season. ⁠ - Accommodation facilities are being upgraded, adding plumbing to the rooms to ensure a comfortable stay for the team and visitors.⁠ - A coffee nursery is being prepared, where they will nurture the coffee seedlings. This will enable propagation of high-quality coffee plants and support the long-term production goals. ⁠ - On that note, they have started potting seedlings into bags, a crucial step in the coffee plant propagation process.⁠ - They’ve also begun working on waste water management pits, a vital component of the sustainable efforts. ⁠ ⁠ These activities demonstrate the commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and quality coffee production. We’ll keep sharing updates on our Lunar team as this washing station grows and evolves!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ——⁠ #SpecialtyCoffee #GreenCoffee #CoffeeCulture #Coffee #CoffeeProducer #CoffeeProducers #GreenCoffeeProducer #SingleOrigin #SustainableCoffee #BurundiCoffee #KenyanCoffee #UgandanCoffee #EastAfricanCoffee #SpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #UKSpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #SpecialtyCoffeeAsia #SpecialtyCoffeeMiddleEast⁠

Two rivers and a provincial border lie between the Bukeye Washing Station and the hills of Ninga Hill. This community lies far beyond the reach of electricity, and even the familiar glass bottles of Coca-Cola, which often find their way into tiny roadside shops, are a rare sight at Ninga Hill. Just ask our long term partner Saint Frank and 3 story coffee, who have walked and sat on the bridge between the hills. ⁠ ⁠ Coffee trees claim every available space on this hill, from the edges of the narrow dirt paths winding through the landscape to the doorsteps of farmers’ self-made mud brick houses. ⁠ ⁠ With each violent conflict that erupts in Burundi, Ninga’s farmers scatter into the surrounding hills and forests. During these turbulent times, the coffee trees enter a state of dormancy, patiently awaiting the return of their caretakers.⁠ ⁠ Ninga Hill is home to 764 farmers, 167,008 coffee trees and rests at 1,800-2,000 MASL. ⁠ ⁠ You can get a taste of Ninga in this year's Private Auction Collection! If you’re interested in our 2024 Private Auction Collection, fill out the interest form below. https://lnkd.in/eDxkFihP ⁠ ⁠ ——⁠ #SpecialtyCoffee #GreenCoffee #CoffeeCulture #Coffee #CoffeeProducer #CoffeeProducers #GreenCoffeeProducer #SingleOrigin #SustainableCoffee #BurundiCoffee #KenyanCoffee #UgandanCoffee #EastAfricanCoffee #SpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #UKSpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #SpecialtyCoffeeAsia #SpecialtyCoffeeMiddleEast⁠

In 2023, we ended the season with 50 microlots. This year, that number has over doubled it to a total of 109 microlots. ⁠ ⁠ To us, creating a microlot is manifesting our core value of terroir. “Terroir” is the French word for “land” but its unique meaning refers to the distinctive soil and environment of a specific place, like a microlot.⁠ ⁠ At Long Miles, we determine a microlot based on identifying 2-3 day lots that can be traced back to a single hill with matching water activities over the course of a 10 day period. This year, day lots were so big due to the influx of farmers beginning to partner with us. ⁠ ⁠ We had a lot more opportunity to create microlots each with a unique soil composition, water activity, and micro-climate, creating a delicious and distinctive experience in each cup. ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ——⁠ #SpecialtyCoffee #GreenCoffee #CoffeeCulture #Coffee #CoffeeProducer #CoffeeProducers #GreenCoffeeProducer #SingleOrigin #SustainableCoffee #BurundiCoffee #KenyanCoffee #UgandanCoffee #EastAfricanCoffee #SpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #UKSpecialtyCoffeeRoaster #SpecialtyCoffeeAsia #SpecialtyCoffeeMiddleEast⁠