A main attraction for foodies visiting Rwanda’s capital of Kigali is a coffee master class that combines fabulous aromas, intriguing tasting and fun learning.In a quiet residential neighbourhood just a short taxi ride from the imposing Kigali International Conference Centre is the Question Coffee Café, the centre of an impressive operation at the heart of which are the female farmers of Rwanda who are responsible for the coffee beans that are sold across the world.
Upon arrival, one finds two terraces with seating and tables surrounded by greenery. It’s a tranquil place to enjoy the produce of this enterprise established in 2015 to offer women farmers the opportunity to have a sustainable livelihood.
At the heart of the converted residential building (equipped with wi-fi) is an attractive inside space where a team of expert barristas create an array of coffees behind a hardwood counter top which has space for a few patrons to rest their cups and watch the bean brewers in action.
The building also houses a purpose-built tasting room that can hold (at a push) up to 13 patrons. This is where Smaya delivers her increasingly popular, daily master classes to visitors and city dwellers who are curious to discover more about Rwanda’s exciting coffee story. Smayah, who is one the nation’s leading coffee baristas, was the tasting tutor that was responsible for leading the masterclass. Pre-booking is strongly recommended although individuals or groups can also request bespoke sessions planned to suit their timing and interests. Whether you are a coffee aficionado or simply wish discover more about the globally popular beans, this masterclass will offer you an expert insight, practical learning and finally a tasting.
One of the friendly Question Coffee team will take you to the room where Smayah outlines the master class and what attendees can expect from the most entertaining and informative two hour session she delivers with great professionalism. Smayah’s passion and expert knowledge shines through the introductory piece. She shares the backstory to Question Coffee, its aims and incredible achievements. Smaya is actually part of the enterprise’s remarkable story herself, being one of the their first five barista trainees and is now travelling around the world to participate in industry events. It was this training that actually gave her the first opportunity to sample coffee herself.
The master class goes back into the distant history of coffee. Smayah also explains how Rwanda fits into the bigger story of the bean and the nature of the business in her homeland today. There are plenty of opportunities for enthusiastic discussion and wide-ranging questions that certainly reflected the interest of the attendees at this session. It is well worth taking this opportunity to discover how Rwandan coffee habits might be changing and how premium coffee could slowly be finding its place in the culinary culture of the nation. It was especially intriguing to learn about the reaction of female farmers when presented with their first taste of ‘real’ coffee.
Next up is a practical experience outside where a tiny plot has coffee trees growing. The tour reveals the fascinating growing stages of the coffee plants and how careful management enables greater yields of sweet coffee fruit. Question Coffee has successfully shared such best practices with their female farmers. Smayah explains the results for the enterprise’s coffee agronomy.
After learning how the beans are cultivated the masterclass moves on to the roasting and cupping experience back in the tasting room. Smayah expertly introduced the delicate steps in the production process that elicits the best flavours from the beans and creates the perfect roast ‘curve’ for each individual coffee sourced by the company. Brewing is the final stage and it requires the appropriate techniques in order to achieve the best flavors created during the growing, processing, and roasting of the coffee beans.
Finally freshly brewed coffee is sampled with everyone having the opportunity to share tasting notes. The coffee ‘cupping’ (tasting) is the perfect opportunity to discuss what the enterprise is looking for when sourcing coffee and how various roast profiles change the taste.
The Question Coffee Masterclass is an outstanding experience that offers everyone the opportunity to really explore the fascinating story behind the ubiquitous hot beverage while at the same time learning about the topography, history, culture and agriculture of Rwanda. All this is possible thanks to the deep understanding and entertaining delivery of the master class tutors. This encounter will certainly make you think back to the story of this amazing bean – and the farming communities who cultivate them – next time you have a coffee.
Look out for Question Coffee when staying at the following hotels in Rwanda: Kigali Marriott; Park Inn by Radisson Kigali; Kigali Serena Hotel; Lake Kivu Serena Hotel; Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel; Rusizi Tented Lodge; Hotel Villa Portofino; Volcanoes Virunga Lodge; One & Only Nyungwe. Also these restaurants: The Hut; Baso Patissier; Acacia Book Café; 4 Blooms; Delizia Italiano; Casa Keza; Kiseki; Crema Café Musanze; Slice & Cakes; and Chap Chap.
Top photo: A coffee tasting chart and bean measurer. Rwanda’s coffee varieties offer various flavour profiles including cherry, grape, lime, chocolate, cantaloupe, mandarin orange, nectarine, candy, apricots, plum, and others. All photos © Swahili Coast Foodie
