Cupping Notes: Dark chocolate, maple syrup, black grape, dried cherries, clementine

About This Coffee

Founded by Matsitsi Zuberi in 2015, Matsitsi Trading focuses on producing high-quality specialty coffee in Burundi. The company operates three washing stations, two in Kayanza province and one in Muyinga province. These stations invest in processing infrastructure and maintain traceability, while contributing to the local communities and sustainability, in the form of wastewater treatment and compost projects from unused coffee pulp.

Businde Washing Station, located in the northern province of Kayanza, collects cherry from around 650 local farmers living within about three miles of station. Matsisi pays 20% above the local market rate for high-quality cherry delivieries, while Businde station's permanent staff receive nearly 60% more than typical casual labor rates. Once the cherries arrive at Businde, they undergo strict quality controls, including controlled fermentation processes and 20 days of drying on African raised beds, resulting in exceptional coffee.

Country of Origin: Burundi

Region: Kayanza

Producer Type: Washing Station

Farm Name: various producers

Processing: Washed

Processing Description: Sun Dried on raised beds

Growing Altitude: 1650m-1800m

Plant Species: Arabica

Varietal: Bourbon

History of Coffee in Burundi 

During colonization, Belgians forced the people of Burundi to grow coffee to pay taxes, an all too familiar story. So, it is understandable that after independence, the farmers of Burundi were less than enthusiastic about growing coffee and there was almost no focus on quality. When world coffee prices dropped to historic lows 20 years ago, prices paid to farmers by government run washing stations were so low that coffee was smuggled into neighboring countries to be sold as Rwandan or Tanzanian coffee. When prices began to rise and become relatively stable, Burundi coffee farmers in the northern highlands did not forget that Rwanda received better prices for quality. The coffee farmers of Burundi began to emulate some of what was happening in Rwanda, forming cooperatives and seeking ways to improve quality.

Growing Coffee in Burundi

 One clear indicator of a focus on quality is an increase in washing stations in a country where transportation is a challenge. The closer a washing station is to coffee trees, the greater control over quality and micro-climate specific separations. Burundi has seen a significant increase in the number of washing station over the last ten years and in recent years internal economic structures have liberalized enough for growers to experience increased income for increased quality. The cool highlands, soil, and altitude are ideal for growing excellent coffee.

Canada Post Strike

CUPW has issued a strike notification to Canada Post.  They have yet to say whether this will be a rotating strike or whether it will be a nationwide shut down.  During this time we are going to continue to try and offer free shipping using wither Purolator or UPS so that our customers can continue to ensure that they get there parcels in a timely manner.  Although we would like to say that we will be able to offer this service to all of our customers for some orders this is simply not feasible.

We hope that this strike will not last for long and hope that you will continue to support our business during these difficult days.  We appreciate your patience and understanding in these matters.

Canadian Customers

Pre-Umber is happy to offer our Canadian customers free shipping on all orders over $100.00 (Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon there is a flat rate fee)  Orders qualifying for free shipping will be sent via Canada Post Expedited Parcel service, UPS or Purolator depending on your address.  If you do not want to use the free shipping option you will have the option to choose which method you would like us to ship and you simply pay what we have to pay for shipping.

If your cart just doesn't seem to total up to $100.00, don't worry.  Pre-Umber offers real-time carrier shipping through Canada Post as well as other courier services.  To access these other couriers you can not use a PO Box but must use a physical address.  You will see the real-tie pricing and can choose the method of shipping that you would like. 

Pre-Umber wants you to enjoy your coffee or merchandise as soon as we can get it to you, so we always strive to send your order out within 24 hours of having received it.

To see the Canada Post delivery standards please follow this link and use our Postal code T4J 1R1. Delivery Standards

United States of America Customers

Pre-Umber is now shipping to customers in the continental United States of America.  We are using Canada Post/USPS for shipping so as to include the greatest number of customers. 

We are offering a flat rate shipping fee:

0 - 12 Pounds a flat rate of $20 CND (way cheaper in USD)

12 -20 Pounds a flat rate of $35 CND (still way cheaper in USD)

31-55 Pounds a flat rate of $60 CND (still very cheap in USD)

If you would rather not use the flat rate option you can choose to use Expedited Parcel USA or Xpresspost USA at your own expense.

We do our best to ship all orders within 24 hours of receiving the order and many are shipping within a matter of hours.

We look forward to serving all your home coffee roasting needs.