July 2025: Podium Platinum. Wonderstate Coffee

Country: Burundi
Varietals: Bourbon and Mibrizi
Region: Gihanga
Process: Anaerobic natural
Producer: Smallholder farmers of the Ninga Washing Station
Elevation: 1,700-2,100 MASL
Tasting notes: Gummy bears, summer melon, cooked wild berries

The coffee:

Burundi coffees are among the most distinctive that Wonderstate roasts, and this anaerobic natural lot from Ninga is no exception. It bursts with saccharine fruit tones—think gummy bears and ripe summer melon—followed by a vibrant finish of cooked wild berries. As it rests post-roast, its complexity deepens, revealing new layers over time.

Ninga is more than just a washing station—it’s a cluster of remote hilltop communities where smallholder farmers grow heirloom coffee varieties like Red Bourbon and Mibirizi on family plots. These coffees stand apart for their berry-forward, currant-like notes that diverge from Burundi’s typical citrus and stone fruit character.

This lot was crafted exclusively for Wonderstate using anaerobic natural processing. After careful cherry selection at both the farm and washing station, the coffee undergoes 48 hours of sealed, oxygen-free fermentation before drying slowly on raised beds for 30 days. The result is a juicy, fermentation-forward cup brimming with tropical and berry flavors.

The roaster:

Since 2005, Wonderstate Coffee has been dedicated to roasting exceptional, ethically sourced coffee that sparks connections, inspires curiosity, and fosters integrity within communities. Their passion for quality and sustainability drives every decision they make, from sourcing the finest coffee to roasting it with care and reinvesting in the communities that make it all possible.

Wonderstate believes coffee should be more than a morning ritual—it should be a force for good. From their commitment to organic farming and environmental responsibility to their dedication to building long-term relationships with coffee-growing communities, everything they do is rooted in sustainability and fairness. Each coffee is carefully selected and roasted with precision, resulting in coffee that tastes incredible while honoring the people and places behind it.

Every cup of Wonderstate Coffee reflects their passion for quality, sustainability, and social responsibility—because making a difference starts with the choices they make every day. From the hands that harvest the coffee they love to the final sip in your cup, they’re committed to creating a better coffee experience for everyone, at every step of the journey.