Kenya enjoys a sparkling reputation as one of Africa's most celebrated coffee origins. This is largely thanks to the dedication and expertise of its producers, combined with high-altitude climates like that of Nyeri County. Taking its name from the Maasai word for red (nyiro), Nyeri's deep, volcanic soil is mineral-rich and porous, offering ideal conditions for the slow maturation of coffee cherries. Here, smallholder farmers cultivate high-performing varieties like SL28 and SL34 on tiny plots before delivering their freshly picked cherries to wet mills, known in Kenya as factories.

This coffee comes from a lot grown by Nyeri smallholders belonging to the Rumukia Co-operative Society. These producers, based in the Mukurwe-ini sub-region, rely on the Thunguri Factory's wet mill for processing. Afterwards, the parchment is then sent to a dry mill, where beans are milled and sorted into standard size grades (such as AA, AB, or PB). This washed AB lot was sourced and exported by Kamavindi Coffee through its quality-focused operation and cupping lab in Embu County. Though established as a family estate in 1958, the Kamavindi team now works closely with regional coffee producers to share expertise in processing, cupping, and lot development.

Quaffee is no stranger to offering delicious African coffees, and this release from the Thunguri Factory is no exception. Co-sourced alongside Leigh and Winston of Cedar Coffee Roasters, you can now experience how the same beans perform when shaped by two different roasting philosophies.

Quaffee's notes

"A vibrant, high-grown Kenyan coffee from the hills of Nyeri, delivering bright citrus acidity, big cherry sweetness and elegant floral complexity."

• Taste profile: Blackberry, citrus, cocoa powder & a red apple finish
• Body: Medium to strong body
• Roast used: "What [Quaffee calls] a small bump and kick, to promote acidity."
• Roast degree: Light (122) – using my-tonino.com
• Quaffee brews: Espresso: 1:2.1 (26 sec) / AeroPress: 17g:200g (medium grind) / Plunger: 48g:800g / Pour-over: 18g:300g (40 sec bloom, 3 min total)

Coffee details from Quaffee

"In the cup, this lot delivers bright lime-like acidity, fresh big cherry sweetness and layers of candied orange and lime. Meanwhile, notes of white sugar and delicate vanilla florals create balance and elegance."

• Country: Kenya
• Region: Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri County
• Farm: Thunguri Coffee Factory
• Producer: 752 cooperative members
• Altitude: 1,750 - 1,900m ASL
• Cultivar: SL28, SL34 & Batian
• Processing: Double-fermented washed process, shade dried initially, then raised-bed sun dried for 14–21 days

Quaffee's transparency information

• Organisation: Kamavindi Coffee Lab
• Source: Cedar Coffee
• FOB price: $14 (estimate)
• Cupping score: 87 (Kamavindi)
• Lot size bought: 1 x 60kg bag
• Relationship: "This is the first coffee we have had from Kamavindi Coffee Labs. Co-sourced with Cedar who purchased from Top of the crop. We have co-purchased with Cedar for 3 years."