What is Starbucks Reserve Rwanda Sholi Kundwa?

Starbucks Reserve Rwanda Sholi Kundwa is a limited-edition light roast coffee sourced from the Sholi cooperative of women farmers in Western Rwanda. It features bright, layered tasting notes of golden currant, toasted hazelnut, and candied ginger, with a lively zesty acidity. Beyond flavor, it carries a powerful story of resilience, as the women behind it rebuilt their lives and coffee community after Rwanda’s darkest years.

Where is Rwanda Sholi Kundwa coffee grown?

This coffee is grown halfway between Kigali and Lake Kivu in Western Rwanda. The region is ideal for coffee cultivation due to its rich volcanic soil, high elevation, and favorable climate that brings out bright fruit notes and lively acidity in the beans.

Who produces Rwanda Sholi Kundwa coffee?

It is produced by a group of women farmers who form the 'Rwanda Sholi Kundwa Women Coffee' cooperative. These women not only farm and process the coffee but also represent a larger movement of empowerment, community rebuilding, and leadership within Rwanda’s coffee industry.

What does Starbucks Reserve Rwanda Sholi Kundwa taste like?

The flavor profile features striking golden currant with a sun-kissed fruitiness, a smooth and grounding base of toasted hazelnut, and a touch of candied ginger that adds sweetness and spice. A zesty acidity ties everything together, giving the coffee a crisp, lively, and layered finish.

What roast level is Rwanda Sholi Kundwa?

This coffee is a light roast. The lighter profile highlights the natural fruit-forward flavors of golden currant and the brightness of its acidity, while maintaining balance with nutty and spiced undertones.

What processing method is used for Rwanda Sholi Kundwa?

The beans are fully washed, a processing method that enhances clarity and bright acidity in the cup. This allows the nuanced fruit and spice notes to shine through while maintaining a clean finish.

What are the key tasting notes in Rwanda Sholi Kundwa?

The key tasting notes include golden currant, toasted hazelnut, and candied ginger, layered with a zesty acidity that provides brightness without sharpness.

What makes Rwanda Sholi Kundwa different from other Starbucks Reserve coffees?

This coffee stands out not only for its vibrant and balanced flavor profile but also for its story. It is grown and produced by a cooperative of women who used coffee farming as a path to rebuild after tragedy, making each cup a tribute to resilience and empowerment.

How should I brew Rwanda Sholi Kundwa?

Rwanda Sholi Kundwa performs well across multiple brewing methods, including pour-over, French press, cold brew, and espresso. Pour-over highlights its bright acidity and fruit notes, French press emphasizes body and nutty depth, cold brew softens its vibrancy while enhancing sweetness, and espresso intensifies its ginger-spice finish.

Does Rwanda Sholi Kundwa work well as cold brew?

Yes. When brewed as cold brew, the coffee’s golden currant sweetness becomes more pronounced, the hazelnut depth rounds out the flavor, and the ginger spice lingers softly without being overwhelming, resulting in a refreshing and layered cup.

Can Rwanda Sholi Kundwa be used for espresso?

Absolutely. Pulling espresso shots with this coffee enhances its zesty brightness, creates a syrupy texture, and accentuates the candied ginger note, making it both unique and complex compared to traditional espresso roasts.

Is Rwanda Sholi Kundwa a limited-edition coffee?

Yes, Starbucks Reserve offerings like Rwanda Sholi Kundwa are seasonal and limited. Availability depends on the harvest cycle and sourcing, so it’s best to grab a bag or enjoy it in-store before it sells out.

Why is Rwanda Sholi Kundwa significant culturally?

The coffee represents resilience and empowerment in Rwanda. The women-led cooperative behind it overcame immense challenges, including the aftermath of national tragedy, and used coffee farming to build economic stability and community strength. Each cup honors their journey.

What does the name 'Sholi Kundwa' mean?

While 'Sholi' refers to the region in Western Rwanda where the coffee is grown, 'Kundwa' is associated with affection and love in Kinyarwanda. Together, the name reflects both the origin and the spirit of community that defines the cooperative.

How does Rwanda Sholi Kundwa compare to other African coffees?

Like many East African coffees, it is fruit-forward and bright. However, Rwanda Sholi Kundwa distinguishes itself with a unique combination of golden currant sweetness, hazelnut grounding, and candied ginger spice, offering both vibrancy and balance.

What brewing grind size works best for Rwanda Sholi Kundwa?

For pour-over, a medium-fine grind works best to highlight brightness. For French press, a coarse grind enhances body. Espresso requires a fine grind, while cold brew benefits from an extra coarse grind to balance extraction over a longer brew time.

What is the acidity profile of Rwanda Sholi Kundwa?

The acidity is described as 'zesty'—bright, crisp, and lively without being overwhelming or sharp. It enhances the golden currant fruit notes and keeps the cup vibrant and refreshing.

Is Rwanda Sholi Kundwa good for people who don’t usually like light roasts?

Yes, even drinkers who prefer medium or dark roasts may enjoy Rwanda Sholi Kundwa. The hazelnut base adds comforting depth, while the ginger spice note provides complexity, making it approachable despite its light roast profile.

How does Starbucks describe Rwanda Sholi Kundwa?

Starbucks describes this Reserve coffee as having 'striking notes of golden currant and toasted hazelnut paired with candied ginger and zesty acidity.' It is positioned as both delicate and celebratory, honoring the women farmers who produce it.

What brewing method best highlights the candied ginger note?

Espresso and pour-over both highlight the candied ginger note. Espresso intensifies its sweetness and spice, while pour-over brings balance by layering it with fruit and nutty tones.

What impact does the cooperative behind Rwanda Sholi Kundwa have on the community?

The Sholi Kundwa Women Coffee cooperative provides economic opportunity, community stability, and leadership roles for women in Rwanda. Their work has helped revive the local coffee industry and uplift surrounding communities.

Is Rwanda Sholi Kundwa available worldwide?

Availability is limited to Starbucks Reserve stores and select regions. It may not be stocked in all countries, so customers should check local Reserve locations or Starbucks Reserve online offerings.

What food pairs well with Rwanda Sholi Kundwa?

Its fruit-forward profile pairs beautifully with pastries featuring berries, citrus, or ginger. Nut-based desserts like hazelnut biscotti complement its nutty undertones, while dark chocolate contrasts its brightness.

What makes Starbucks Reserve coffees special?

Starbucks Reserve coffees are small-lot, rare, and often experimental offerings sourced from unique regions or cooperatives. They showcase distinct flavor profiles and highlight the craft and story of coffee producers worldwide, often available only for a limited time.

Why should I try Rwanda Sholi Kundwa before it’s gone?

Because it is a seasonal and limited Reserve release, once it sells out, it may not return for another harvest. Beyond its rarity, the coffee offers a layered flavor profile and a powerful story, making it a meaningful choice for any coffee enthusiast.

Starbucks Reserve Rwanda Sholi Kundwa Coffee Review

Starbucks Reserve Rwanda Sholi Kundwa Coffee description card with roast details and unique art

I was very excited to see this coffee hit the shelves at my local Starbucks Reserve as I have tasted and reviewed another one of these in years past!

Some coffees don’t just warm your hands in the morning, they carry with them an entire story of resilience, community, and flavor that sticks with you long after the cup is empty. Starbucks Reserve Rwanda Sholi Kundwa is one of those coffees. From the first sip, you know you’re drinking something layered and intentional: striking golden currant, smooth toasted hazelnut, a spark of candied ginger, and a lively zesty acidity that keeps the profile bright without ever being sharp.

This isn’t just another light roast, it’s an experience that balances delicacy with vibrancy. The fruitiness is vivid but refined, the nutty base anchors it, and the gingered finish almost feels celebratory, like a toast to the women behind it.

Starbucks Reserve Rwanda Sholi Kundwa Description

"Halfway between Kigali and Lake Kivu in Western Rwanda, there is a group of passionate female farmers who call themselves 'Rwanda Sholi Kundwa Women Coffee.' They have been producing high-quality coffee for years. However, this was not always the case in Rwanda. After bearing witness to the country's darkest moments, these inspiring women rebuilt their lives and found a path forward through coffee and community. Today they are helping revive the country's coffee industry as a vital part of the movement empowering Rwandan women. This exquisite offering is truly a celebration of how far these women have come, and we don't take a single sip for granted."

Roast Level & Processing

Roast Level: Light
Processing: Washed

Reserve Rwanda Sholi Kundwa Tasting Notes

Starbucks indicates that this coffee has “Striking notes of golden currant and toasted hazelnut paired with notes of candied ginger and zesty acidity.” The cup opens with a lively brightness, and the golden currant is certainly present, adding a juicy, almost sun-kissed sweetness. Beneath that fruitiness is the comforting depth of toasted hazelnut, which rounds out the profile with a soft, nutty warmth. Normally I do not like Hazelnut, but it is nice here. As the flavors unfold, a subtle touch of candied ginger emerges, offering both sweetness and spice that lingers on the palate. Holding it all together is a zesty acidity that is vibrant without being overwhelming. It gives this coffee its distinctive energy and makes each sip feel crisp, clean, and layered.

For testing this roast, I made cold brew, I did a pour over, a French Press, and pulled espresso shots.

Final Thoughts

Starbucks Reserve Rwanda Sholi Kundwa is more than just a coffee, it’s a tribute to determination, recovery, and the craftsmanship of women who chose to rebuild not just their lives, but an entire industry. Every cup carries a brightness that feels like hope itself. If you’re looking for a Reserve coffee that balances elegance with depth, this one deserves a spot in your rotation. Grab a bag before they are gone.