Kenyan coffee producers are notorious for their expertise and for their exacting processing and quality-grading practices. This is achieved in part thanks to Kenya’s cooperative system, wherein small-scale coffee producers collaborate as registered collectives of pulping stations and wet mills. Kenyan cooperatives provide support and training to their producers, assist in quality control and trading matters, and even supply equipment to their members at discounted prices. Research and development in Kenya’s coffee industry is also considered excellent. This makes it unsurprising that Kenya is one of the most celebrated coffee farming countries on the African continent,, known for producing top-quality coffees.

This particular lot comes from Kenya’s Embu County, a relatively small coffee producing region, and was produced by a collection of smallholder farms belonging to the Rung’eto Cooperative Society and was processed at the Kiangoi Washing Station. Fans of Rosetta's previous Kianyagi AA release may recall that it was from this same geographical area.

Kenyan coffees like this one are typically known for full-bodied and pleasantly tart berry flavours, which come out bright and clear with washed processing. Our friends at Rosetta Roastery are experts when it comes to progressive roasts that highlight these qualities. They've impressed us time and time again with their Kenyan lots, so we can’t wait for you to try out their latest offering.

Phaedon's tasting notes

While I wouldn't call the flavour profile of this washed AA Kenyan typical, I certainly would call it enjoyable. It's fruity and sweet, with a bit of brightness but nothing overpowering. This is perhaps where it diverges from the Kenyan AA archetype which is usually associated with much more tartness. I found notes like, peach, apricot and even cherry in most of my cups and thoroughly enjoyed it in all filtered brew methods like a pour-over, AeroPress and siphon. The body is somewhat delicate but the fruity flavours and sweetness are quite pronounced.

Rosetta's notes

Style: Progressive
Flavour profile: Bold & vibrant, hibiscus, blackcurrant, molasses

"With its vibrant layers and bright structure, Kiangoi AA reveals its layered character most beautifully through filter brewing. We begin the roast with a high charge and full gas to ensure the heat penetrates through these large, dense AA graded beans. By keeping the length of the roast short, we preserve its bright fruit-forward profile, resulting in a cup that’s clean, bold, and silky, with a light treacle finish that gently lingers."

Coffee details from Rosetta

"The Kiangoi Factory is located in Kirinyaga’s tea-growing region, sourcing cherries from smallholders farming between 1600 and 1800m ASL on the fertile, mineral-rich slopes of Mount Kenya. Managed by the Rung’eto Cooperative Society, the factory follows traditional Kenyan processing: careful sorting, shaded fermentation, thorough washing, and slow sun-drying on raised beds. These methods enhance the clarity and vibrancy that are hallmarks of the region, with this lot delivering a strikingly expressive cup of ripe blackcurrant, sweet berries, and delicate florals."

• Producers: Smallholder farmers of Rung’eto Cooperative Society and Kiangoi Washing Station
• Region: Embu County
• Country: Kenya
• Variety: SL-28, Ruiru 11, Batian, SL-34
• Altitude: 1,600 - 1,800 masl
• Processing: Washed
• Harvest: 2024