Free Shipping Over $100*
Secure payments
Simbi Coffee is a co-operative group based Huye district in Rwanda's southern province. Their washing station was started in 2011 and opened in 2013, placing 9th in the Rwandan Cup of Excellence in this same year, their first in operation. Since then they have sought to maintain strict standards of selection and processing in order to continue to produce high quality coffees each season. Simbi is composed of 1,850 members, 80% of whom are women.
This fully washed microlot was sourced from a group of 300 smallholder farmers in Rugarama village. These farmers cultivate bourbon varities at altitudes ranging between 1,710 and 1,850 masl.
Country of Origin: Rwanda
Region: Huye District
Producer Type: Washing Station
Farm Name: Various smallholders
Processing: Washed
Processing Description: Washed and dried on raised beds
Growing Altitude: 1700 - 1850 MASL
Plant Species: Arabica
Variety: Red Bourbon
The commercialization of coffee came about gradually in Rwanda and coffee was always produced on smallholder farms. Independence brought some improvement to the coffee infrastructure as the government established more modern and centralizing processing. But this meant the government set the price they would pay for coffee and farmers had no other options. There was no focus on quality because there was no incentive whatsoever. Despite much of the coffee being Bourbon, there was no sorting or grading so all the coffee was commercial grade. Rwanda exported 642,000 bags of coffee in 1993 and 447,000 in 1994. Then, as something of a stark reminder of the genocide, Rwanda exported a mere 22,000 bags in 1995. Today, Rwanda exports only 43% of what it did in 1993, but current exports represent much greater value because for the last 20 years the focus has been on quality rather than quantity, supported by various initiatives of the Rwandan government and international NGOs.
Rwanda’s ideal growing conditions are no longer wasted on poor processing. New washing stations have opened in all coffee growing regions, innovative cupping labs that arrive built into shipping containers, and cooperatives have been established. The vast majority of Rwanda's smallholder farmers grow high-quality Bourbon, well-suited to the high altitudes and volcanic soil of the region. For the last 10 years, Rwandan specialty coffees consistently rank among the finest in the world.
Canada Post has started a National strike. They will not be accepting parcels during this time but will keep any parcels that are on their way safe.
We are still accepting orders and are attempting to ship orders for free over $100*. This is getting more and more difficult as other carriers such as Purolator are no longer accepting more parcels into their system. Please ensure that your home address and not P.O. Box are used in your shipping address. We are currently using UPS and few smaller carriers for our free shipping options. Most locations we have been able to find ways to ship your orders but if this is not the case we will contact you and try to work to find a solution.
If you wish, you can still choose the Canada Post shipping option and we will hold the orders until the strike is finished and ship them at that time.
We are sorry about this inconvenience and appreciate your continued business.
Jonathan Yeo
Owner Pre-Umber
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. You will also have the option to choose a faster Canada Post service if you prefer.
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. Just go through the checkout process until you see the shipping charges options. You can choose various Canada Post options depending on how badly you need your coffee :) You will see real-time pricing so you can rest assured knowing exactly what you will be charged.
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
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.
