Switch-backing up mountainsides and across small, hand built log bridges, visiting Heza washing station can be likened to a great off-road adventure. To say Heza washing station is remote would be an understatement and yet the community that lives in the surrounding hills is a special one; comprised mostly of coffee farmers.
Heza means beautiful place in Kirundi, the local language of Burundi. With panoramic views and an ever-changing East African sky, this washing station lives up to its name.
Heza is the second washing station built by Ben and Kristy Carlson, an American family who see the potential of Burundi coffee and its farmers. It is an important part of the Long Miles Coffee Project, their farmer focused initiative.
A total of 1876 farmers delivered coffee cherry to Heza washing station in 2014. Over eight hundred of these farmers were individuals who brought cherry to the station and the remaining farmers delivered their cherry to collection points in the region.
These collection points shorten the distance farmers have to carry their coffee cherry to meet the Long Miles six hour pick-to-process quality timing mark.
Coffee collection begins in April. By the end of June the last of Burundi's best cherries arrives at the station. Partner roasters are welcome in our part of the world at any stage during harvest season. A trip to Long Miles Coffee Project means cupping and sampling exclusive coffee, journeying to the heart of the coffee hills to see production as it happens and meeting the people dedicated to bringing you Burundi's highest quality coffee.