Telling Coffee Stories: Together We Can

Coffee from Women Producers

Last spring we tasted a gorgeous, fully washed coffee from Burundi for the first time and dang, we've been thinking about it ever since. We're thrilled to bring it back this year to share with you (and keep an eye out for some more naturally processed coffees coming from Burundi later this year!).

This coffee is called Turihamwe, which means “together” in Kirundi, the inspiration for our name Together We Can. The story behind this coffee is amazing. The founder of JNP, Jeanine Niyonzima-Aroian, grew up in Burundi and made her way back there after years away at school and an international business career. She founded JNP Coffee in 2012 after recognizing tremendous opportunity for these unrecognized farmers and has been advocating for and investing in coffee in Burundi ever since. 

Not only is the founder of this company a woman, but the coffee is also produced by women coffee farmers and processed in Burundi’s first washing station built and owned by women farmers. Seven women pooled their savings from their JNP Coffee premiums to build their own wet mill in 2019.

The ability to control their coffee quality and this stage of the supply chain is a big step, and results in an exceptional coffee! Don't take our word for it - you gotta try it for yourself. This is a really expressive, fruity and complex coffee, delightful from start to finish. 

Shifting Social Norms in Burundi

Their mission says it best:

"JNP Coffee encourages transformational change for local coffee farmers by promoting gender equality, supporting financial literacy education and developing leadership skills. These efforts to empower the farmers and their families build resilience and expand their coffee production capacity."

The focus on paying women for their work and recognizing their labor as an economic and community focused asset is a slow shift, but one that JNP takes very seriously. They are also committed to investing in the next generation of farmers through their education, production incentive programs and the commitment to promoting Burundi coffee on the global market. 

We're thrilled to partner with JNP and the women of Burundi and can't wait for you to enjoy some of their fantastic work. Cheers!