Long Miles started in 2013 when the Carlson family built their first washing station in Bukeye to receive coffee cherries for processing. Their mission was focused—to produce excellent coffee and improve the lives of smallholder farmers along the way. Since, Long Miles has done just that by producing high quality coffee, paying farmers quality premiums, and providing year-round training from their field scouts.
Coffee farmers in Burundi do not own much land, and a good portion of their land is dedicated to subsistence crops—bananas, cassava, and beans, and together with coffee, all these plants cover the hills with green. The sale of coffee cherries pays for children’s school fees, medical bills, and anything else that farmers cannot grow or make themselves.
In Burundi, society is split up into hills, similar to the boroughs that we have in Pennsylvania. The hills surrounding Long Miles’ three washing stations—Bukeye, Heza, and Ninga—all contribute to making up this blended community lot. This delicious light roast has an approachable yet fun flavor profile, there is a honeyed sweetness with citrus flavors, and the acidity is pronounced but balanced by the depth of caramelized tones it carries with it along with a black tea-like base.