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Reviving Origins KAHAWA ya CONGO captures the sweet, fruity flavours of coffee from Lake Kivu’s volcanic shores
Kuala Lumpur, 14 June 2021 – Coffee lovers in Malaysia will soon be able to enjoy a new organic coffee, while helping revitalise one of the world’s most fragile farming regions. The Reviving Origins KAHAWA ya CONGO coffee (“Hope of Congo”) from Nespresso is a smooth and fruity seasonal blend, grown on the rain-rich volcanic soils of Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where the once-thriving coffee farming community has been devastated by decades of political and economical instability.
The KAHAWA ya CONGO coffee is the first organic blend in the Nespresso Reviving Origins programme, the brand’s long-term approach to restore coffee production in regions impacted by adversities. Since its launch in 2019, the programme has enabled production of exceptional coffees from challenged areas of Zimbabwe, Uganda, Colombia and now, the DRC, to become available as seasonal coffees for Nespresso coffee lovers.
Floriane Novello, Business Executive Officer of Nespresso Malaysia said: “Through our Reviving Origins programme, we’re helping the farmers of Kivu to restore Congolese coffee to its full glory and rebuild their livelihoods, while bringing vital social support to enhance the welfare of the communities behind our KAHAWA ya CONGO coffee. With this blend, consumers can enjoy a truly unique taste experience, and play an important role in reviving coffee and communities in DRC after decades of conflict and economic instability.”
Reviving coffee and communities in Kivu
The project also goes beyond coffee. Nespresso, together with global non-profit TechnoServe, the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID)and coffee trader Virunga Coffee/Olam International, is working with 2,500 farmers in Kivu to improve coffee quality and yield, and embed sustainable farming practices, while increasing incomes. Nespresso is also in the process of expanding the programme across Kivu to reach over 8,000 farmers by 2026.
Kivu coffee farmer, Turanyi Kabasura, said: “I see my remaining days being better than those in the past, because I am going to work, and starting to see the results of my work, as I am receiving regular pay and a bonus each time after the coffee sale. I can use that to develop other strategies, such as raising small livestock, or my wife can run a small business.”
Additionally, in partnership with the Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI), Nespresso is investing CHF 1 million to support the establishment of 23 water access points across the Kivu region, in addition to one primary and five mobile health clinics, which will deliver 13,000 health consultations per year to local communities, helping in the fight against cholera, a major health issue in the country.
An exquisite taste experience
The rain-rich volcanic soils along the Kivu lakeshores of Eastern Congo are ideal for growing specialty Arabicas. The Organic KAHAWA ya CONGO coffee is split roast, meaning that a small portion of the beans gets a darker roast to bring out the full intensity and body of the coffee. In cup, the smooth and balanced Arabica reveals alluring sweet cereal and nutty aromas, reflecting its ideal terroir origin. With milk, meanwhile, these aromas are transformed into a light, sweet and creamy cup full of biscuity notes, a hint of walnut, and a silky texture.
The Organic KAHAWA ya CONGO coffee has an intensity of 8 as a Double Espresso in Original, and it is available at Nespresso boutiques, and online via the Nespresso mobile app, Nespresso official site (www.nespresso.com) and through our Customer Careline at 1800 80 7001 (24/7 toll-free) from 7 June 2021 onwards.
From 7 until 20 June, Nespresso Malaysia is giving out one set of Asia Second Life chopsticks to Nespresso Club Members when they purchase up to 80 capsules, including any of the Reviving Origins coffees. Additionally, with an add-on of another 40 capsules, Nespresso Club Members will receive a set of Caran D’ache fixpencil.
Flourishing variety
Alongside this launch, Nespresso is reintroducing three other seasonal Reviving Origins coffees for 2021, helping bring long-term economic stability to local farmers, as well as showcasing their craftsmanship to the world:
- AMAHA awe UGANDA – a single origin coffee with medium acidity and body, grown in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda,
- TAMUKA mu ZIMBABWE – a flowery espresso from the famous Honde Valley in the Zimbabwean Eastern highlands,
- ESPERANZA de COLOMBIA – a rich and balanced Arabica espresso, with fruity notes and fine acidity, from the Colombian regions of El Rosario and Caquetá.
For further details on these coffees and Nespresso activities, please visit our official Instagram page (@nespresso.my) or Facebook page (Nespresso.MY) to receive updates on our latest offerings .
About the Reviving Origins programme
Nespresso first discovered the potential of reviving a forgotten coffee when it ventured to South Sudan in 2011. The limited edition SULUJA ti SOUTH SUDAN became the country’s second export after oil in 2015 and 2016, and helped to diversify the economic base of the world’s youngest nation. In 2016, Nespresso launched the limited editions AURORA de la PAZ, its first coffee from the Caquetá, Colombia, conflict region, and CAFECITO de CUBA the first Cuban coffee to come to the United States in more than fifty years (exclusive for the US). In 2019, Nespresso officially launched its Reviving Origins programme alongside new single-origin coffees from Eastern Zimbabwe - TAMUKA mu ZIMBABWE - and Colombia - ESPERANZA de COLOMBIA - followed by Puerto Rico – CAFECITO de PUERTO RICO. In 2020, Nespresso introduced AMAHA awe UGANDA from the Rwenzori Mountains regions of Uganda, and now KAHAWA ya CONGO from the Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
About Nestlé Nespresso SA
Nestlé Nespresso SA is the pioneer and reference for highest-quality portioned coffee. The company works with more than 110,000 farmers in 15 countries through its AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program to embed sustainability practices on farms and the surrounding landscapes. Launched in 2003 in collaboration with the NGO Rainforest Alliance, the program helps to improve the yield and quality of harvests, ensuring a sustainable supply of high quality coffee and improving livelihoods of farmers and their communities.
Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, Nespresso operates in 82 countries and has over 13'900 employees. In 2020, it operated a global retail network of 816 boutiques. For more information, visit the Nespresso corporate website: www.nestle-nespresso.com.
For more information, please contact:
Thai Jia Vay
Brand Communications Specialist
Nespresso Malaysia
Address: Level 22, 1 Powerhouse, No. 1, Persiaran Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Tel: +6017-200 3386
Email: [email protected]
Brayden Beh / Sherlyn Cheah / Douglas Tan / Jeremy Fong / Jacqueline Khoo
Burson Cohn & Wolfe
Mobile: +6018-777 5676 / +6011-1122 6856 / +6016-375 3703 / +6012-639 1779 / +6016-453 8183
Email: [email protected]