Atlas Coffee Club Rwanda Review

By

Bryan Huynh

on March 22, 2024

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This month, we are taking a destination trip to Rwanda, a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa. We have tasted several different types of coffee but nothing quite compares to this, especially if you enjoy the taste of Medium-Dark roasts. The amount of effort behind each and every package can be tasted with each brew. To learn more about the Atlas Coffee Club Rwanda, read on below! Check out our Coffee Club page to compare and read reviews of our favorite coffee clubs.

Background

Imagine waking up to the mountains of Rwanda emerging from a gleaming morning light. You are now confronted by the majestic breadth and punctuating peaks of Rwanda, "Land of a Thousand Hills." First, an exploration of the Rwandan people and their tales, steeped in warmth and deliberate connection: walk the vibrant streets of Kigali, staring from renowned street art every block. A visit to the city's iconic milk bar is a welcome moment of reflection and community, and a motorcycle taxi through Kimironko Market sends you spinning through a hot spot of new sensations - taste fresh, sweet-tart tropical fruit and vegetables filling up those Agaseke baskets and drape yourself in colorful, handmade Kitenge cloth. Then it's off to the vast Congo Mile Trail, a waterfront hike with scenic encounters at terraced tea plantations, integrated coffee washing facilities, and spectacular views of glistening interior beaches. Rolling hills in Rwanda reveal a new viewpoint, discovery after discovery, and eye-opening delights.

Coffee was introduced to Rwanda by German missionaries in 1904 and immediately became a commercial crop, with quantity being prioritized above quality. Rwandan coffee producers were ordered to cultivate massive volumes of low-quality coffee across the nation in the 1920s under Belgian laws. Fortunately, the Rwandan government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have finally intervened to start refocusing the coffee industry on high-quality varietals that provide greater wages to growers. Developing farmer cooperatives have redefined coffee cultivation into a dependable path to stability and profitability for small growers. Rwanda's recent status for producing some of the world's highest grade coffee is befitting, and only becoming stronger, thanks to its rich volcanic soils, high elevations, and sunny, tropical environment.

Summary 

If you are looking for a coffee that is both unique yet familiar, Rwanda is the perfect choice. With chocolate notes, it balances out the coffee’s initial craisin and nougat sweetness, ending with a pear and white grape tartness.

Region: Southern & Western Provinces

Altitude: 1400-1900 Meters

Processing: Washed, Raised Bed Sun-Dried

Roast Recommendations: City to Full City+

Tasting Notes: Rhubarb, Dark Chocolate, Lime

Flavor Profile: Chocolate, Craisins, Nougat

Aroma: Pear, White Grape, hints of orange blossom and lemon

Harvesting Period: March - July

Pros

  • This coffee supports Rwanda Trading Company, which offers financial literacy, agribusiness management, and agronomy programs to its farmers
  • High quality coffee from around the world! (In this case, Rwanda) 
  • The presentation and packaging is wonderful. Bags are customized with one-of-a-kind patterns based by the showcased country.
  • Roasted fresh to order
  • Satisfaction guarantee, work with the customer service team if you don’t like your coffee
  • Great for last minute gifts because you can schedule it out and recipients can choose their own preferences 
  • There are no allergens: the only ingredient is coffee.

Cons

  • Just one coffee is featured each month
  • May not be the cheapest option to receive your coffee. (See alternatives below)

Buying the Product

Atlas Coffee Club's delivery package had a strong, fragrant odor when it arrived! It offers a selection of the world's best single origin coffees, a monthly coffee and postcard from a new location, and tasting notes for each batch. This shipment box contained Keurig Compatible Coffee Pods! The purchasing and delivery procedure was quick and easy, you should get it in 3-6 business days.

To begin, simply sign up for the subscription to Atlas Coffee Club:

  1. Select the amount of bags you want per shipment
  2. Select the frequency in which you want the shipment to come
  3. Choose your preferred roast (Light to medium, Medium to dark, or all roast types)
  4. Choose your preferred grind type (Whole bean, ground, or coffee pods)

Rwandan farmers cultivate some of the finest, specialty coffee beans in the world. You should try the dark roasts, it is well balanced, not too dark or chalky but full of great flavor. I recommend purchasing freshly roasted coffee beans if it is readily available for you. Avoid the ones that have been sitting on shelves. Coffee is a product that loses taste once it is roasted. Consider how long they have been sitting on the shelves or in warehouses.

Learn more about Atlas Coffee Club here.

Results

I could tell they put a lot of care and work into the packaging the instant I unboxed it. It seemed as if I had journeyed across the nation to bring this one-of-a-kind coffee mix back with me. Not really knowing much about Rwanda, the information and post card was a great touch. It makes me think deeply about where the products that I use come from. I was really surprised with the first sip. Although I prefer light to medium roast coffee, this was definitely a changing point for me. It might have even converted my sense of taste! This medium to dark roast really accentuates the body of the cup.

Personally, I would give the Atlas Coffee Club Rwanda a cupping score of 89/100. Based on the Total Score Quality Classification, it would be considered excellent, also known as a specialty coffee.

Cupping Scores

Published by the Specialty Coffee Association of America. The Cupping Form allows you to note the following coffee flavor qualities: Fragrance/Aroma, Flavor, Aftertaste, Acidity, Body, Balance, Uniformity, Clean Cup, Sweetness, Defects, and Overall. These are evaluated on a 16-point scale indicating quality levels in quarter-point increments ranging from 6 to 9. To score your coffee, go through each specific flavor attribute and mark the points based on your own personal appraisal. 

Quality Scale

  • Good: 6-6:75
  • Very good: 7 - 7.75
  • Excellent: 8 - 8.75
  • Outstanding: 9 - 9.75

The Final Score is calculated by adding the individual scores for each of the key criteria in the "Total Score" box. Defects are then subtracted from the “Total Score” to arrive at a “Final Score.” The Scoring Key below has shown to be an effective technique to represent the range of coffee quality for the Final Score.

Bottom Line

Rwanda brews one of the most uniquely special cups the world has to offer. Rwandan coffee has a tremendous lot of history and sorrow, but the tale of hope that Rwandan coffee producers have built through their tribulations has given their coffee an added degree of significance. If you haven’t taste tested the Atlas Coffee Club Rwanada yet, this is definitely your sign to go do so. Not only will it ship straight to your house, the buying process is quick and easy. This is best suited for those who enjoy a cup of medium to dark roasts. You will receive your hand picked and hand crafted box including a Rwanda postcard, info card, and your selection of grind type in 3 to 6 days. Grown at an altitude of 1,400- 1,900 meters, this bright, pungent coffee develops notes of Rhubarb, Dark Chocolate, Lime and ending notes of pear and white grape tartness. Believe me when I say this, you can definitely taste each and every flavor note listed if you analyze your sips!

If you’re still not interested in a bean from Rwanda, head back to our list of most loved coffee beans and read our other coffee reviews? We’ve taste-tested a ton of coffee. Check these out: 

Dune Coffee Roasters El Salvador El Manzano Bourbon Review

PT's Coffee The Flatlander Signature Review

Joe Coffee Burundi Turihamwe Review

Big Island Coffee Roasters Kona Noir Review

Big Island Coffee Roasters Kona Peaberry Review

About the Author

Product Tester & Writer

Bryan Huynh

Product Tester & Writer

Bryan Huynh is a determined Product Tester & Writer. Being a coffee addict, it is only right that he mainly tests and reviews different coffee from around the world and coffee subscription services.

Bryan Huynh is a determined Product Tester & Writer. Being a coffee addict, it is only right that he mainly tests and reviews different coffee from around the world and coffee subscription services.