Kenya is one of the world’s largest coffee producers, and is specifically lauded for its washed specialty-grade coffee. It’s certainly a favourite single origin source at CCB, particularly when roasted by our friends at Origin Coffee Roasting. Kenyan coffee producers are famous for their expertise, as well as their rigorous processing and quality-control practices. Once harvested and processed, Kenyan coffees are subjected to a precise screening and quality grading, and then sent to a weekly auction managed by the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE). These auctions are highly competitive, ensuring that only the highest quality lots eventually make their way to market. Hence, if you’re purchasing specialty-grade Kenyan coffee, you can be certain that it’s legit. 

The majority of coffee in Kenya is farmed by groups of small, independent farms collectivised under mutually beneficial cooperative societies. This allows them to pool both their harvests, as well as material resources like equipment, and share insights on farming and production practices. This raises the quality and efficiency of Kenyan coffee production generally, and makes it possible for small farms to access vital industry infrastructure like local washing mills and the NCE. 

The upshot of all of this is that you can generally be sure that the Kenyan specialty coffee that actually makes it into your cup is of the highest quality. This particular lot comes from Kirinyaga, a relatively small county found just South-East of central Kenya. Located between the mountains of the Great Rift Valley’s Eastern tail and the slopes of Mount Kenya, Karinyaga boasts some pretty ideal conditions for growing high-quality coffee, like fertile, volcanic soil and a high altitude. 

Origin’s notes

• Flavour: Black grapes, cinnamon spice, marzipan, blackcurrant, rose, caramel finish
• Body: Viscous, full
• Acidity: Red cherry
• Roast: Light-medium
• Suggested brewing methods: Pour-over, AeroPress, milk drinks

Coffee details from Origin

• Country: Kenya
• Region: Kirinyaga County
• Farm: Multiple smallholder farms organised under the New Ngariama Farmers Cooperative
• Owner: New Ngariama Farmers Cooperative Society
• Altitude: 1650 - 1800 masl
• Variety: Batian, Ruiru 11, SL28
• Processing: Washed

(From Origin via Covoya Specialty Coffee importers)

“Kainamui Coffee Factory is located in the north east corner of Kirinyaga County in the Gichugu division, Ngariama Location. It is one of three Factories managed by the New Ngariama FCS. Kainamui was the first factory established by the co-operative, followed by Kamwangi.

“This AA fully washed top lot is from Kainamui washing station, one of 3 factories managed by New Ngariama Farmers Cooperative Society (FCS) in Kirinyaga county, situated in Kenya’s central highlands. Kainamui was established in 1963, the same year Kenya declared independence.

“The factory works with 2,000 member farmers, 60% men and 40% women. These small scale local farmers cultivate an average of just 200 trees at altitudes up to 1,800masl.

“Patrick Njogu runs the management at Kainamui, along with his unmatched team. They ensure all the coffee processes run smoothly and diligently. Some of their responsibilities include weighing coffee, hand-picking, green grading, storage, transportation, training, paying and addressing farmer complaints.”