Nemba

We source from the same seven supply chains every year, and Nemba stands alone as the only one that we have so far been unable to visit. Despite this, our story with Nemba is perhaps one of our most meaningful. Coffees from Nemba Washing station were the first that Josh ever sourced for Blossom back in 2020 and it has been a joy each year to return to these coffees and welcome them back to our menu every spring. Though quality has somewhat fluctuated throughout the years, we’re very excited that this latest harvest is tasting better than ever.

Of the 3110 smallholders farmers delivering to Nemba Washing Station, most only have 200 to 250 trees, and harvesting is done almost entirely by the family. During the harvest season, all coffee is selectively hand-picked before being delivered by growers either directly to the station or to one of the 12 collection sites located throughout the growing areas. 

Meticulous quality control throughout the production chain is managed by Greenco, a company which oversees and structures washing stations throughout the Kayanza province. Quality assurance begins as soon as farmers deliver their cherry and continues right through until after milling when the coffee is hand sorted using UV lighting as a final check for defects. Thanks to the importance that Greenco places on environmental stewardship, all stations are equipped with solar panels as well as water treatment facilities to purify waste water from processing before flowing back into the river network. Additionally, all the cherry pulp waste that is generated during the processing of the coffee is converted into organic fertiliser which is given to farmers at the end of each season.