{"product_id":"shoebox-mutana-hill-washed-burundi","title":"Shoebox - Mutana Hill Washed | Burundi","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBurundi — Mutana Hill\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTastes Like — 🍑 Peaches • 🍵 Oolong Milk Tea • 🌿 Lemon Verbena\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDETAILS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProducers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Local producers surrounding Heza washing station\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWashing Station:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heza\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kayanza, Burundi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVarietals:\u003c\/strong\u003e Field Blend\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProcess:\u003c\/strong\u003e Washed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAltitude:\u003c\/strong\u003e Information not specified\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 125g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eINTRO — From Long Miles' Most Remote Washing Station\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eGetting to Heza washing station requires long treks up mountainsides and crossing small hand-built log bridges—testament to Long Miles Coffee Project's commitment to serving communities that would otherwise face arduous journeys come harvest season. \"Heza\" means \"Beautiful Place\" in Kirundi, the local language, named for the enchanting views of the East African sky seen from these remote mountains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis lot delivers exactly what you'd hope from Burundian coffee: intense oolong notes with subtle syrupy tones underneath, ripe and creamy peach and apricot flavours emerging as it cools, classic Ethiopian-style florals (lemon verbena, bergamot, jasmine) popping throughout. It's coffee that justifies the difficult journey required to process it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE PRODUCER — Smallholders \u0026amp; Long Miles Coffee Project\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eHeza washing station serves local producers in one of Burundi's most remote coffee-growing regions. The station's location—requiring mountain treks and hand-built log bridge crossings to reach—demonstrates Long Miles Coffee Project's philosophy: bring processing infrastructure to farmers, rather than expecting farmers to transport cherries long distances to centralised facilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eLong Miles Coffee Project was founded by Ben and Kristy Carlson in 2011 with a simple dream: help coffee growers by helping roasters source consistently high-quality coffees from Burundi. Starting with 50 farmers in 2013, the project has grown to work with over 6,000 producers across multiple washing stations, making an incredible impact socially, economically, and environmentally throughout Burundi's coffee-growing regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe smallholder model means cherries arriving at Heza come from numerous farms, each with slightly different microclimates and cultivation practices. Managing this diversity whilst maintaining quality requires rigorous cherry selection, careful lot separation, and processing expertise that Long Miles has perfected over more than a decade of operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe field blend nature of this lot—likely Red Bourbon and Mibirizi—reflects Burundian coffee's traditional varietal diversity. Rather than single-varietal lots, Burundian farmers typically grow multiple varieties together, creating natural blends that express the region's terroir across different genetic profiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE PROCESS — Traditional Burundian Washed Method\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eLong Miles employs rigorous traditional washed processing at Heza, applying the same quality standards across all their washing stations regardless of how remote the location:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e🍒 \u003cstrong\u003eSelective Harvesting\u003c\/strong\u003e — Smallholders pick only ripe cherries for delivery to Heza\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e🌊 \u003cstrong\u003eFlotation\u003c\/strong\u003e — Cherries floated to remove underripes and defects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e👐 \u003cstrong\u003eHand Sorting\u003c\/strong\u003e — Additional manual quality control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e⚙️ \u003cstrong\u003eDepulping\u003c\/strong\u003e — Mechanical removal of skin and fruit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e💧 \u003cstrong\u003eFermentation\u003c\/strong\u003e — Controlled fermentation to break down mucilage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e🌊 \u003cstrong\u003eWashing Channels\u003c\/strong\u003e — Multiple washing stages to remove all mucilage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e⚖️ \u003cstrong\u003eDensity Grading\u003c\/strong\u003e — Parchment separated by density for quality consistency\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e☀️ \u003cstrong\u003eRaised Bed Drying\u003c\/strong\u003e — Traditional African raised beds ensuring even drying\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe density grading step is particularly important in Burundian processing. By separating coffee by bean density after washing, Long Miles ensures only the highest-quality beans make it into premium lots like this one. Denser beans typically indicate better growing conditions, optimal ripeness at harvest, and superior cup quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe raised bed drying allows for gradual, even moisture removal whilst constant air circulation prevents defects. Despite Heza's remote location, Long Miles maintains the same processing standards that have made their coffees renowned—proving that geography doesn't determine quality when systems and expertise are properly implemented.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE VARIETALS — Red Bourbon \u0026amp; Mibirizi Field Blend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis lot likely combines Red Bourbon—Burundi's traditional variety known for sweet, syrupy character—with Mibirizi, a more recently introduced variety. Red Bourbon brings the classic sweetness and body that Burundian coffee is celebrated for, whilst Mibirizi adds complexity and potentially contributes to the bright, floral characteristics in the cup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eField blends occur naturally when farmers cultivate multiple varieties together rather than in separated plots. Whilst single-varietal lots offer precision and repeatability, field blends often deliver greater complexity—each variety contributing different characteristics that create more dimensional cups than single varietals typically achieve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe combination expresses beautifully in this lot: that syrupy oolong character and creamy peach sweetness likely come from Red Bourbon's genetics, whilst the bright florals (lemon verbena, bergamot, jasmine) may reflect Mibirizi's contribution or simply excellent Burundian terroir expressing across both varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE CUP — Oolong Tea Evolving into Creamy Stone Fruit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis cup evolves beautifully as it cools, revealing layers of complexity that justify Long Miles' reputation. Initially, intense oolong notes dominate with subtle syrupy tones underneath. As temperature drops, ripe, creamy peach and apricot flavours emerge—milky sweetness like peach ice cream. Classic Ethiopian-style florals pop throughout the experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavour Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e🍑 \u003cstrong\u003ePeaches\u003c\/strong\u003e — ripe, creamy peach character emerging as the coffee cools\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e🍵 \u003cstrong\u003eOolong Milk Tea\u003c\/strong\u003e — intense oolong notes with milky sweetness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e🌿 \u003cstrong\u003eLemon Verbena\u003c\/strong\u003e — bright, herbal-citrus florals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe oolong milk tea character sets the foundation—there's genuine tea-like quality here, with that particular milky sweetness that makes milk oolong so distinctive. Subtle syrupy notes underneath add body and richness. As the cup cools, the stone fruit character emerges beautifully: ripe, creamy peaches and apricots with that milky sweetness reminiscent of peach ice cream.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe florals are described as \"classic eth[iopian] florals\"—and indeed, there's that pronounced aromatic character typical of East African coffee. Lemon verbena provides bright, herbal-citrus notes. Bergamot adds sophisticated aromatic complexity. Jasmine brings classic floral perfume that ties everything together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe body is syrupy and satisfying, coating the palate with that characteristic Burundian richness. The acidity is present but integrated, providing structure without sharp brightness. The finish is clean and sweet, with those tea and floral notes extending beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis lot from Heza washing station demonstrates that Long Miles Coffee Project's commitment extends to even the most remote corners of Burundi's coffee-growing regions. Despite requiring mountain treks and hand-built bridges to reach, Heza produces coffee that stands alongside the project's more accessible washing stations—proof that with proper systems, expertise, and dedication, exceptional quality can come from anywhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eWhat is the roast recency?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe recommend brewing with beans that are \u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eat least two weeks off roast\u003c\/span\u003e. All beans are roasted to peak flavour at around 6-12 weeks. We have the option to either purchase standard beans (at least 2 weeks but no longer than 6 weeks off roast), or rested beans (at least 7 weeks off roast, no longer than 12 - should we have any left in stock!). For peak flavour, if you are looking to use immediately, we recommend purchasing the rested beans. If you are adding to your rotation of beans, we recommend purchasing the standard and allowing the beans to naturally rest and mature whilst you rotate through other beans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Shoebox Coffee Roasters","offers":[{"title":"May 7th \/ 125g","offer_id":57978964640118,"sku":"SHOE-MUTANAHILL-125G-MAY07","price":17.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"May 26th \/ 250g","offer_id":57978709574006,"sku":"SHOE-MUTANAHILL-250G-MAY26","price":24.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0529\/9152\/5021\/files\/Mutana_-_shopify.webp?v=1772381741","url":"https:\/\/sigmacoffee.co.uk\/products\/shoebox-mutana-hill-washed-burundi","provider":"Sigma Coffee UK","version":"1.0","type":"link"}