Location: Ngariama, Kirinyaga
Landed: March 2026
Altitude: 1,700 - 1,900 masl
Varietal: SL28, SL34 & Ruiru 11
Process: Washed
Flavour profile: Raspberry jam, honey & clementine
Category: Fruity & Juicy
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Always a delightful time of year when fresh Kenyans land and make their way on to our offering again. An absolute treat to have Kenyan lots land with us earlier this year. Fresh Kenyans typically hit our shores around July time, due to the typical harvesting times, and often the better lots being found towards the end of the harvest. This year however, early lots were singing on the Kenyan cupping tables and so Falcon worked their ,magic and shipped out a container much earlier than usual - a spring treat, early Kenyans, what more could you want?! Often I get used to their absence, but when they land I am always reminded of just how special they are. As usual, we have gone ahead and booked our AA, AB and PB triptych for this years harvest, and may even have a fourth lot to add in, lets see.
This lot on the sample table was an absolute stunner, so sweet and tangy, home made raspberry jam vibes. We couldn't get enough of it as a team, and are very excited to kick the harvest off with this lot. Starting with the biggest in bean size, this AA is a great example of pairing a high acidity with a very high sweetness for the perfect brew. Expect upfront jammy rasberry, sweet and tangy. The sweetness continues throughout the cup, as if a spoonful of honey has been added, then finishing with lingering citrus notes. The perfect colourful brew to welcome in spring!
KII FACTORY
Nestled in the elevated southern foothills of Mount Kenya, the Kii factory enjoys the advantage of being situated on fertile red volcanic soil, an ideal environment for cultivating exceptional Kenyan coffee. The local farmers, tending to their half-acre plots and typically managing around 250 coffee trees, have long been delivering their carefully harvested cherries to the Kii factory. This factory is one of three managed by the esteemed Rungeto Farmers' Cooperative Society (FCS), an umbrella cooperative society.
Despite its smaller size compared to other FCS, Rungeto has established a reputation for its unwavering commitment to quality processing and meticulous attention to detail. This dedication has earned them recognition for producing remarkable coffees and operating some of the cleanest and best organised factories in Kenya.
At the Kii factory, only the ripest cherries are accepted, and an additional round of hand sorting and floating is conducted to eliminate less dense and damaged beans. Following this careful selection process, the coffee undergoes depulping, fermentation, and thorough washing. To solidify the distinctive Kenyan flavour profiles, the washed coffee is then soaked in fresh water for extended periods.
The drying phase takes place over a meticulous two-week period on raised beds specifically designed to optimise air circulation and temperature control, ensuring an optimal drying process. These beds are thoughtfully constructed to create the ideal environment for drying the coffee beans.
Before export, the green beans are meticulously milled, undergoing sorting based on screen size and further grading according to their size and shape. This final stage of preparation ensures that the exported coffee meets the desired standards and maintains consistent quality.
Through these meticulous processes, the Kii factory and the Rungeto Farmers' Cooperative Society exemplify their commitment to producing exceptional Kenyan coffee. The attention to detail and focus on quality contribute to the renowned flavor profiles associated with Kenyan coffees, making them highly sought after in the specialty coffee market.
(In partnership with Falcon Coffees)
