Kenya Nyeri AA

Mill: Thiriku Coffee Growers Cooperative Society

Varietal(s): SL28, SL34 & some Ruiru 11(<1%)

Processing: Wet processed & sun dried on raised beds

Altitude: 1,890 metres above sea level

Owner: Various smallholder farmers

Town: Thiriku

Region: Nyeri County, Central Kenya

Country: Kenya

 

This coffee was produced by numerous smallholder farmers, all of who are members of the Thiriku Coffee Growers Cooperative Society, located in Nyeri County in Central Kenya between the slopes of Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare range.

The cooperative owns a single wet mill which serves six communities Sitting at nearly 1,900 meters, the wet mill is one of the region’s highest and in many ways benefits greatly from the cool temperatures that characterize this high altitude. Do cherries in the surrounding area ripen slowly, the low temperatures contribute to longer fermentation and slower drying times, which when well managed (as in this case) can lead to a better cup.

Farmers selectively handpick the ripest, reddest cherries, which are then either delivered directly to the cooperative’s wet mill or received at one of 4 collection points and then ferried over on the same day. Cherries are stringently hand sorted prior to pulping, with damaged and under ripe cherries being separated out from the red, ripe lots (the process is overseen by the ‘cherry clerks’ who are specifically tasked with overseeing and keeping records for payments). 

After pulping, the coffee is put through a demucilager (rather than traditional soaking) where it is washed using clean, fresh river water to remove all traces of mucilage before being delivered to dry on raised beds for between 9 to 15 days.

While drying, the parchment is repeatedly moved and sorted to remove any damaged or discolored bean.