KENYA KIAGUNDU AA
General Information
|
Origin: Kenya
County: Kirinyaga Cooperative: Mutira Farmers Cooperative Society Washing Station: Kiagundu Coffee Factory Farmers: 600 active members (240 female, 360 male) Cultivar: Mainly SL28 & SL34 Altitude: 1548 masl Process: Fully washed with double fermentation Harvest: November 2023 - January 2024 Cherry Price | FOB Price: 6,35 USD/kg | 10,58 USD/Kg Screen | Moisture | Density: 17-18 | 11% | 0.701 g/ml Packaging: 30 Kg VP box Score: 86.9 Notes: Strawberry, bergamot, rose, clove |
|
TRACEABILITYNestled on the border between the picturesque coffee regions of Nyeri and Kirinyaga, you'll find the Kiagundu factory, a bustling hub of activity for 600 smallholder farmers. These hardworking individuals tend to an average of 180 coffee trees each, predominantly cultivating the SL-28 or SL-34 varieties, which are emblematic of Kenya's rich coffee tradition. In response to the challenges posed by climate change, these farmers are embracing the use of shade trees to safeguard their crops.
While coffee is the primary focus, the farms surrounding Kiagundu also yield a variety of other crops such as beans, yams, cassava, and corn. Additionally, the area is witnessing a growing trend of cultivating macadamia and avocado trees as shade plants, diversifying the agricultural landscape. Managed by the Mutira Farmer Cooperative Society, the Kiagundu factory stands as a testament to the collective effort of its 4,000 members. This cooperative extends its reach to several regional coffee factories, including Kagumo, Mutitu, and Karii, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration among the local farming community. Established in 1984, the Kiagundu factory is situated approximately 70 miles from Nairobi, with the charming town of Kerugoya a mere mile and a half away. The vital Rundu River serves as a lifeline for the processing operations, as the ripe cherry is meticulously de-pulped using an Aagard disc pulper before being carefully dried to just under 12% moisture. HOW DO WE SOURCE OUR COFFEES?We have lost count of the number of cupping sessions involved in the coffee selection process in Kenya. This process lasts several months and includes a series of quality control measures. In simple terms, the coffees we select undergo five main selection procedures before reaching your roastery.
Journey to Origin: This process begins with a visit to cooperatives and a meeting with coffee producers and exporters at origin. Two trips are made; one during the harvest, where no cupping takes place, and another approximately a month when the harvest ends. During this last trip, we cupped around 500 samples per week, which is a pretty intense process. Here the pre-selection is carried out. Offer Samples: Producers, cooperatives or exporters send us samples of the lots that we have pre-selected at origin. This is beneficial because it allows us to analyze a smaller number of samples in the comfort of our laboratory in Budapest. Once we have made our final selection and are satisfied with it, we proceed to sign the contract. PSS stands for pre-shipment samples. After signing the contract, the coffee producer processes each lot and sends a sample to our laboratory for quality control confirmation before shipping. Arrival samples. Once the coffee arrives at our warehouse in Barcelona and passes all the necessary customs and phytosanitary regulations, we will take representative samples from each of the lots and analyze them again. This is to ensure that the coffee has arrived in perfect condition. We will test and examine the samples carefully to ensure that they meet our quality standards. The final stage of our selection process involves sending coffee samples to your roastery. This stage culminates with your cupping and selection of the coffee. Our aim is to provide you and your customers with the opportunity to enjoy the richness of our selection. We hope that you will appreciate the quality of our coffee and that it will enhance your business. THE MYTHS OF KENYAN COFFEE1.- There is a misconception that Kenyan coffees are too acidic and unsuitable for use in espresso or milk-based drinks. However, this is simply not true. The acidity level of a coffee can be controlled by adjusting the roast profile. Although some coffees have a higher natural acidity, this can always be reduced by roasting if necessary.
2.- It's common to hear that Kenyan coffees have a specific flavour profile that includes red fruits, blackcurrants, and winey notes. However, this is just a myth. In reality, there is a wide range of flavours that can be discovered in Kenyan coffees, including floral, chocolate and elegant notes that are influenced by the variety of the coffee and the location where it's grown, rather than the origin in general. 3.- There is a popular myth about the new Ruiru 11 coffee variety. The truth is that Ruiru 11 is not as good as the SL varieties. However, most of the Ruiru coffee grown in Kenya is now grafted with SL28 roots. This is because the SL28 roots are longer than those of the original Ruiru, which has a Catimor genetic component. Grafting the Ruiru plant with SL28 roots allows it to access more nutrients from deep in the volcanic soil of Kenya, which ultimately improves its quality. 4.- Finally, there is a common myth that farmers do not drink coffee, but prefer tea. While there is some truth in this statement, it is mainly due to British colonial influence. Today, Kenyan farmers actively enjoy coffee and even cup it. |
WHY FARMERS ARE ABANDONING COFFEE?
KIAGUNDU FACTORY LOCATION
|
|
WHERE WE ARE
Barcelona, Spain Santiago, Chile Budapest, Hungary |