Inspiring Documentary About the Origin of Coffee Premieres at the University of Plymouth

Over 200 individuals gathered at the University of Plymouth late last month for the premiere of a special documentary, commissioned by Plymouth-based food court, Jabulani. 

The documentary film told the origin story of Jabulani Coffee, which is an organic specialty coffee, produced as a result of a partnership between Owens Coffee and the Diversity Business Incubator (DBI), a business hub for minority ethnicity entrepreneurs. 

The food court, which the coffee was originally roasted for, was established by husband-and-wife team Jabo Butera and Liliane Uwimana as part of a DBI project focused on regenerating Plymouth’s Union Street area. 

Jabo and Liliane have since worked tirelessly to bring people together and support local communities in both the UK and Rwanda, through social impact projects funded by profits made in their shop. Their mission is to raise awareness of the effect of the Rwandan genocide as well as the social importance and impact of how coffee connects communities and cultures.

In June, Jabo set off on a trip to Rwanda, along with Liz Orgill of Owens Coffee, Christina Wilkins of Brand Biscuit Studio and Tom Carder of Tom Carder Media, to film ‘The Jabulani Coffee Origin Story’, a film about how a remarkable spirit of togetherness inspires a nation and binds this coffee with a purpose.  

To coincide with the premiere of the film, Brand Biscuit Studio rebranded the speciality grade Rwandan single origin coffee. 

Jabulani, an organic coffee with purpose

Jabulani beans are grown in the Gakenke District of Rwanda. The coffee offers a juicy, black tea finish with sweet notes of cherry, hibiscus and vanilla. It’s recommended for both filter and espresso.

Coffee from Rwanda is mainly produced by smallholders who own the land, normally under one hectare per family.

This organic single origin coffee is produced by the Twongerekawa Coko Cooperative: a group of 204 members, of which 169 are female, who grow their coffee at unusually high levels (2,000m above sea level) so the beans are slowly ripened and, as a result, filled with flavour. 

The Coko Cooperative is a small cooperative of mostly women, based in Northern Rwanda and found in the highest areas of the Gakenke District. These women are celebrated community leaders: supporting them supports their communities. 

Using regenerative and organic farming methods to sustainable standards, the community takes meticulous care to ensure the annual harvest makes speciality grading, which puts Jabulani Coffee in the top 10% of quality coffee in the world. The plantation is high up in the green Rwandan hills and provides ideal conditions for shade-grown Arabica coffee. 

Owens Coffee and Jabo have a direct relationship with the Twongerekawa Coko Cooperative. Sales of the beans support an initiative which connects ambassadors from the UK and Rwanda to exchange knowledge, nurture leadership and encourage positive global change.

Currently roasted and distributed by Owens Coffee, Jabulani Coffee is available to buy from the online shop (owenscoffee.com) or The Roastery shop in Ivybridge (200g for £7.76 and 1kg for £27.00).

Since 2010, Owens Coffee has supported the aims of the Fairtrade Foundation and is proud that 100% of its coffee range is certified Fairtrade and organic.  After hearing the story through Owens Coffee and Jabo, Alison Derrick and Sue Errington of Fairtrade Devon visited the cooperative in October. And, following talks with Fairtrade South West, Alison attended the premiere to announce that the cooperative’s President Thaerese Nyirangwabije and Manager Vincent Nsengiyumva have been invited to visit the UK in 2023, to support Fairtrade Devon during Fairtrade Fortnight (27 February to 12 March 2023).

To watch the documentary or to find out more please visit www.jabulanicoffee.com and to stay up-to-date, follow @jabulanicoffee on Instagram and Jabulani Coffee on Facebook.

To learn more about Owens Coffee, please visit owenscoffee.com.