Bahire Washing Station is located in the highlands of Ngozi Province, northern Burundi. Bahire stands for “be well” in Kirundi. This name is more than a greeting; it’s a reflection of the care, community, and craftsmanship behind every cherry harvested and every bean processed.

Perched at 1,800 meters above sea level, Bahire process the harvest produced by roughly 2,000 smallholder farmers. Among them, 600 men and 400 women contribute their labour and knowledge to the production of this exceptional coffee. Their work is rooted in tradition yet guided by innovation and support from partners like JNP Coffee, whose field team of agronomists and processors provides ongoing training and technical assistance.

The harvest happens from March to June, with cherries handpicked at peak ripeness and brought to the station for processing. At Bahire processing is carried out both as Natural and Fully Washed like in the case of this specific lot, the process begins with mechanical removal of the pulp, followed by overnight fermentation under water to remove mucilage. The beans are then sorted by density in sorting channels, soaked, and finally dried on raised African beds. Drying is done under shade, in open air, and using pyramid-style arrangements to ensure slow, even drying over 15 to 20 days.

Fertilizer use is rare due to cost, making Bahire’s coffee organically grown by default, nourished by the region’s rich volcanic soils and the natural rhythms of the land. The station also employs filtration tanks to ensure that water used in processing is clean before returning to the environment.

Bahire’s story is one of discovery. For years, JNP Coffee noticed that one coffee from Ngozi consistently stood out in quality. After much searching, they traced it back to a specific hill—now home to the Bahire washing station. This discovery underscores the power of terroir in coffee: how soil, altitude, and microclimate can shape a cup’s flavor in extraordinary ways.

The region itself is known as “the land of a thousand hills,” with a temperate climate and a long history of agricultural excellence. Though travel here can be challenging—often by foot, bicycle, or motorcycle—the journey is worth it. Bahire coffee is known for its bright, clean profile, often with sweet and citrusy notes that reflect the care taken at every step of its production.

Bahire is more than a name. It’s a wish, a promise, and a celebration of what’s possible when tradition, community, and quality come together in harmony.