Coffee People: Mutete Allan Muhamad
Mutete Allan Muhamad, roaster and quality grader, Rwanda and DRC. Four questions — everything the industry rarely stops to hear.
Coffee people.
The Better Coffee Standard defines it precisely: everyone whose life and work are bound to coffee, at every stage of the coffee circle — including those working under coercion, economic dependency, or without pay. Their families. Those who keep them standing.
Read more in the free The Better Coffee Standard.
The industry never stops talking about coffee. It rarely stops to talk about the people behind it. Red Ink Coffee exists, in part, to change that.
Coffee People is a series of portraits. Four questions — their voices.
Who are you and what do you do in coffee?
My name is Mutete Allan Muhamad. I work as a coffee roaster and quality grader in Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo. My role involves roasting green coffee beans to develop their best flavor and quality while ensuring consistency in every batch. I am passionate about coffee and proud to contribute to the coffee industry in both countries.
Tell us about a moment in your work with coffee that you're genuinely proud of.
One of the moments I am most proud of was successfully roasting a batch that highlighted the unique characteristics of Rwandan coffee. Seeing customers appreciate the quality and flavor of the coffee made me realize the impact of my work — and motivated me to continue improving my skills.
What's one problem you see in your part of the coffee world — and why does it matter to you personally?
One challenge I see is the limited recognition of the work done by many people along the coffee circle. From farmers to processors and roasters, a lot of effort goes into producing quality coffee, yet their stories are not always heard. This matters to me because I believe every person involved deserves recognition for their contribution.
What would you change if you could — and what would better look like for you?
If I could change one thing, I would improve access to training and professional development opportunities for coffee workers. Better training would help people improve their skills, increase coffee quality, and create more opportunities for growth within the industry.
You are coffee people. Tell us.
Four questions. Any language. Any format.
- Who are you and what do you do in coffee?
- A moment you're genuinely proud of.
- One problem in your part of the coffee world — and why it matters to you.
- What would you change — and what would better look like?
Include a short bio and a photo from your work environment. Send your answers to redinkcoffee@thebettercoffee.org
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