DR Congo coffee

22 DR Congo coffees from 14 independent UK roasters, from £6.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is an emerging East African origin with real promise. Coffee grows around Lake Kivu and in the eastern highlands, sharing the same Bourbon heritage and altitude as its celebrated neighbours Rwanda and Burundi — and, increasingly, the same clean, bright, fruit-forward cup: red berry, citrus, florals and a juicy acidity. Decades of conflict devastated the sector, so much of what reaches the UK today comes via co-operatives rebuilding quality and washing-station infrastructure, often with development support. Buying it channels income into a difficult region. For drinkers who already enjoy Rwandan and Burundian coffee and want to support an origin finding its feet, Congolese lots are a rewarding, feel-good find.