Arabica Coffee’s Origins and its Family Tree in DRC
Most of coffee consumption around the world today is of two species of coffee: about 70 % arabica (Coffea arabica) and 30% robusta (Coffea canephora). Some people might mistakenly think…
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Lucy and Ali
6 posts
We are Lucy and Ali, two medical doctors and coffee lovers living and working between the US and DRC.
What is parchment coffee and why do we love it?
The first time someone brought fresh coffee to us at home here in Bukavu from the field, it was green coffee with the endocarp or skin on, called parchment. Though…
If these walls could talk…
Peace and the revival of Congolese coffee. In recent years, people both inside and outside DRC have been trying to revitalize the country’s coffee sector. ONAPAC, the Office National des…
A visit to ONAPAC with Papa Mulyumba
We’ve learned that history and local expertise are key aspects to understanding how coffee farming and distribution works here in Congo. We recently had a visit to the South Kivu…
Starting with Mulyumba
I, Ali, think I was about 16 years old when I met Papa Mulyumba. I met him through his son, Mulyumba Wakilongo. In Congo we call an adult often by…
What does bazima mean?
Bazima means “to be alive” in Swahili. Swahili is one of the four official languages of DRC and the lingua franca in Kivu. It’s most often heard as a response…