Mwende Mutuli Musau, better known as Tuli is a freelance writer from Kenya based in Brisbane. She covers travel, culture, and food for an array of international publications.is a multisensory experience. Lush, verdant green plant life punctuates every corner, while mahogany brown walls are set off by bright yellow seating lining the floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the Rwandan sun to stream in. And it’s all awash with the bitter-sweet scent of what’s brewing.
“Most of the coffee farms are in Gisenyi near Lake Kivu, but there are also farms near and within Kigali,” says Ryan Hirwa, a coffee farmer in Rwanda. “Since the industry is growing, the coffee scene is quite competitive, and we are able to make substantial returns from our crop.” “Four years ago, people didn’t like coffee, but through education, the coffee scene has grown exponentially.” Peter Hitimana, a local guide who offersto locals and travelers, shares."This has helped people learn about the process and growth of beans alongside coffee tastings.”
However, the price of coffee remains a challenge. A cup can cost between $2.50 and $5, while more than 60% of the population earn less than $2 a day. But according to Neal Ndayisaba, a waiter at Cave Coffee, this price is an improvement from where it was a few years ago. “A packet of coffee is sold at 10,000 RF while a cup of coffee is 3,000 RF , which is quite affordable to locals, and many people now visit coffee shops because of affordable pricing,” Ndayisaba says.