Where Good Coffee Grows Deeper Roots

By Andrew Hall

Let’s talk about Kinini. Not just the name on the bag, but the people, the place, and the powerful story behind every sip.

We’ve roasted a lot of coffee in our time, but every now and then, one lands that genuinely humbles you. Kinini isn’t just delicious (though it absolutely is — we’ll get to that), it’s purposeful. It’s proof that coffee can build more than just flavour — it can build futures.

The Flavour

Let’s start in the cup. Because, for all the good intentions in the world, flavour is what brings people back. And Kinini delivers.

This washed Bourbon variety is grown at 2000 masl in Rwanda’s Rulindo District — high up where the air is crisp, the soil is rich, and the cherries ripen slowly.

In the cup? Orange, bright and zesty — think juicy citrus peel, not just juice. It’s followed by a hit of raspberry, sweet and tangy like the last spoonful of jam at the bottom of the jar. Then comes the warmth — a round, mellow, maple syrup sweetness that brings the whole thing together like the final note in a harmony. It’s complex, yet totally drinkable. Familiar, yet quietly surprising.

We’ve been sipping it all week and it just keeps opening up.

The People Behind It

Kinini’s story starts back in 2008 as a charity called A New Beginning, working with Rwandan citizens displaced by the 1994 genocide. The mission? Simple — rebuild lives with education, healthcare, and dignity.

Over time, founders Jacqueline and Malcolm realised something: giving help was good, but creating independence was better. So they did something bold — they planted coffee. Lots of it.

In partnership with local government and farming families, they built a sustainable system:

  • 252 hectares of land guaranteed to local farmers for 30+ years

  • 500,000 coffee seedlings distributed

  • A dedicated Kinini Washing Station built for local processing

  • Access to clean water, fair finance, and proper training

The result? A farming community that’s thriving — not just surviving.

Sustainability that Starts at the Soil

Jacquie’s never been one to settle. As Kinini grew, she leaned into organic production. Working alongside DRWakefield and a pioneering organic co-op in Honduras (Cocafelol), Kinini introduced worm composting — yep, real worm farms — producing natural fertiliser to boost soil health and fight disease.

They’ve also distributed goats to provide organic manure, reduced dependency on costly fertilisers, and embedded sustainable, circular farming methods across the region.

This is coffee that’s thinking long-term — not just yield, but legacy.

Smarter Washing, Cleaner Water

At the Kinini Washing Station, innovation is constant. They’ve installed new water treatment facilities to prevent contamination of local water sources. Spring water is now harvested for processing; rainwater is collected for fermentation.

It's a beautifully circular system. Less reliance on external water. Better cup quality. Cleaner communities.

Plans are already in place to add staff accommodation and a warehouse for a new hulling machine. Growth never stands still here.

Empowering Women, Brewing Change

Jacquie’s drive to uplift others runs especially deep when it comes to women in coffee.

Since 2012, she’s supported widows, mothers, and single women who were often overlooked — and overworked — in traditional family setups. Her approach? Form female-only cooperatives, help them open private bank accounts, and give them access to training and finance.

Turns out, when women thrive, everything else does too.

Today, the KCRS Cooperative features 180 female producers across six sectors. The coffees from this group are some of the most celebrated in Rwanda — and yes, they’re on our menu for good reason.

A Helping Hand to Neighbours

Kinini doesn’t just lift up its own. In 2017, neighbouring producers from the Cocatu Co-op approached Jacquie for support after struggling post-recession. Kinini stepped in — offering use of their washing station, mentorship, and even microloans from more experienced producers to help others expand.

It’s a full-circle model: grow, then help others grow too.

What It’s All For

Beyond the coffee farms and co-ops is the heart of Kinini — A New Beginning.

  • In 2022, over 300 children attended the Kinini school

  • Books, teaching aids, and university sponsorships were funded

  • The health post is expanding with a new toilet block, a response to increased pressure from COVID and malaria cases

  • Jacquie dreams of a cancer treatment and maternity centre on site — a vision that, like the coffee itself, will take time, patience, and support

Why We’re Proud to Roast Kinini

At St Martins, we don’t just want good coffee. We want meaningful coffee. Coffee that connects people, builds futures, and leaves things better than it found them.

Kinini, Rwanda, is that coffee.

We’re honoured to roast it. Humbled to share it. And we hope — when you brew it — you taste more than just great flavour. We hope you taste progress.