LILO - Shyira Washed | Rwanda - Washed - Bourbon

LILO Coffee Roasters is located in Osaka, Japan

From LILO

【Cupping comment】 

① A rich, fruity lemon juice flavor.

② The tartness and sweetness of pink grapefruit and apricot.

③ A lingering aftertaste reminiscent of black tea.

About Shyira Coffee Washing Station

Located in Nyabihu District, where Rwanda’s Western and Northern Provinces meet, the Shyira Coffee Washing Station (CWS) stands out as one of the country’s highest-altitude production areas, reaching up to 2,300 meters above sea level. The misty valleys nestled in the mountains create exceptional conditions for coffee cherry development, resulting in standout cup quality. The station itself operates at 1,800 meters, perched dramatically above a scenic gorge.

Collaboration with Smallholder Farmers

Shyira CWS processes cherries delivered by around 1,900 smallholder farmers, primarily using the washed method. Strong collaboration with these producers ensures a consistent supply of high-quality cherries.

Processing Method

Upon arrival, cherries are weighed and sorted by flotation to remove underripe or defective ones. After pulping, the beans undergo 6–12 hours of dry fermentation, followed by mucilage removal. A density channel is used to grade the wet parchment, which is then meticulously hand-sorted before drying begins.

Drying and Quality Control

The sorted parchment is moved to African drying beds, where it is turned every 30 minutes for even sun drying. To avoid quality degradation from strong sun or rain, staff cover the parchment with plastic sheeting when needed. Once the moisture content reaches 10.5%, the beans are bagged and stored.