This light roast coffee from Idjwi Island in Lake Kivu, DR Congo, is grown by members of the Rebuild Women's Hope Cooperative, founded by Marcelline Budza. The coffee features Bourbon, Caturra, and Catuai varieties grown at 1500-2000 meters elevation and processed using washed methods. The beans offer graceful, tea-like characteristics with notes of almond cookie, oolong tea, mulberry, and soft florals, reflecting the volcanic soils of the region.
Kimberly Zash and Sara Gibson founded Sightseer Coffee in Austin, Texas in 2022 after meeting at Greater Goods Coffee, where both held roles spanning head roaster, green buyer, QC specialist, and trainer. Sightseer sources 100 percent of its coffee from women farmers and producers, paying prices significantly above fair trade rates. The sourcing goes beyond checking a box: Zash and Gibson look for producers investing in quality and sustainability, supporting projects like the Forest Academy in Colombia for regenerative farming. They roast on a 25 kilo Diedrich CR 25, bringing the same technical rigor from their previous careers to every batch. Imbibe Magazine named Sightseer one of its 75 Places to Watch.
