Despite its proximity to coffee's birthplace, Ethiopia, Kenya only began cultivating Arabica coffee in the late 19th century. Benefiting from high-elevation climates and dedicated smallholder farmers, Kenya's coffee crops quickly became one of the East African nation's premier agricultural exports. Today, the Nairobi Coffee Exchange manages trade via the national auction system and the strict mechanical screening processes that define Kenyan beans, helping the nation secure its reputation as a global powerhouse of high-quality specialty coffee.

Located along the fertile, volcanic slopes of Mount Kenya, Kirinyaga County is widely recognised as one of Kenya's most celebrated coffee-growing regions. Kirinyaga's high altitude creates an optimal microclimate for producing specialty-grade Arabica beans. Kenya's coffee producers are organised into cooperative societies that deliver harvested cherries to centralised wet mills, called factories, for screening and processing. This collective system emphasises meticulous sorting and strict quality control, resulting in distinctly sweet cup profiles famous for their flavour intensity and vibrant aromas.

Offered by our friends at Origin, this specialty coffee is a washed lot of AA screen size beans from the Kamwangi Coffee Factory. Located in Kirinyaga's Gichugu district, Kamwangi is highly esteemed by specialty roasters around the world. At Kamwangi, beans are hand-sorted before pulping to ensure uniform density that results in a sparkling cup clarity.

Origin's notes

"The renowned Kenyan washed process highlights the coffee's remarkable clarity and vibrant acidity, resulting in a cup that showcases the distinctive characteristics that have made Kenyan coffees some of the most sought-after in the world."

• Flavours: Peach, blackcurrant, umami, cola, apricot jam, black tea, tamarind
• Body: Full
• Acidity: Juicy
• Roast: Medium
• Brewing: Chemex, siphon, cold brew, plunger, espresso & milk-based

Coffee details from Origin

"AA Kamwangi is an exceptional specialty coffee grown by approximately 1,500 smallholder farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya's Central Highlands. The farmers deliver freshly harvested cherries to Kamwangi Factory, where careful sorting and processing ensure only the highest quality coffee is produced."

• Country: Kenya
• Region: Kirinyaga County Highlands
• Washing station: Kamwangi Coffee Factory
• Producers: 1,500 smallholder farmers
• Altitude: 1,600 - 2,000m ASL
• Variety: Batian, Ruiru 11 & SL28
• Processing: Washed