In May 2022, Maison Soleil adds a new origin to its direct trade programme: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and more precisely the shores of Lake Kivu. The cooperative Rives du Kivu thus becomes the house’s third partner, after Côte d’Ivoire and Rwanda. Its story illustrates the beauty of Congolese coffee, but is also a reminder that direct trade in Africa’s Great Lakes region demands patience and loyalty.
A terroir shaped by water
The plots sit on the western shore of Lake Kivu, in South Kivu province, between 1,600 and 1,900 metres above sea level. This is where the Bourbon variety expresses a particularly tea-like, floral profile. The process is washed, but with one specific detail that defines the lot’s signature: the water used to wash the cherries comes directly from Lake Kivu. This almost poetic detail gives the coffee a limpidity and a saline sweetness recognisable among all others.
The cooperative counts 260 producers and has been chaired since its creation in 2010 by Patrice Mwamba, a man deeply rooted in the Kivu region’s cooperative fabric. His network and his sense of dialogue were invaluable in building a lasting relationship with our sourcing team.
A commitment in a demanding context
The roads around Lake Kivu are sometimes unpredictable. Traders know it, and roasters who claim to do direct trade without taking that reality into account often come unstuck. With Rives du Kivu, Maison Soleil chooses long-term commitment: a multi-year contract, a floor price guaranteed at least 30% above the world market price, and 40% harvest pre-financing.
This commercial loyalty is not a luxury. It is a condition for producers to be able to invest in quality without fearing that logistical hazards will shatter their efforts. We do not promise everything will be simple. We promise to be there, season after season.
A cup of great finesse
The DRC — Rives du Kivu is a remarkable filter coffee. Lightly roasted, it offers notes of green tea, elderflower and light honey. Its silky body makes it an excellent choice for lovers of delicate brews, able to reveal the complexity of Great Lakes Bourbons.
With Rives du Kivu, Maison Soleil broadens its map of African origins. Every bag carries within it the crossing of a lake, the patience of a journey and the tenacity of producers who believe in quality coffee.
How to enjoy it : in paper filter or dripper, for a clean extraction that highlights the tea and elderflower notes.