Origin: Kenya
Farm/Region: Embu, Embu County
Tasting Notes: Cherry Tomato, Red Currant, Lemon, Herbs
Producer: The Kirimiri Cooperative Society
Varietal: SL34, SL28, Ruiru 11
Processing: Washed
Altitude: 1670 MASL
Kenya Kirimiri Peaberry Washed Espresso - Single Origin.
The Kirimiri Cooperative Society has 950 small-scale farmers averaging only one acre in size. The cherries are fully washed with fresh river water from Rupingazi River and sundried on raised beds. The Kirimiri Cooperative’s main goal is to help educate farmers on crop husbandry and important associated agricultural practices.
After pulping, the coffee is fermented overnight to break down the sugars, before traveling through channels to soaking tanks where the coffee is carefully cleaned and spread out on the raised drying tables. Time on the drying tables depends on climate, ambient temperature and production volumes. Drying can take 7 to 15 days. One of the reasons this lot of coffee is so special is that it’s made up entirely of peaberries, carefully selected and separated out from the rest of the crop’s pickings at the washing station.
In addition to coffee, common crops grown in the region are banana and maize. Grevillea or macadamia trees are also commonly planted to provide shade to the coffee trees.