karatina kenya

the joys of citrus season

This year, we will explore two regions of Kenya; Kirinyaga and Nyeri. These two counties sit next to each other at the base of Mount Kenya, where both locations reap the benefits of the volcanic soil and ample rainfall. Nyeri is the most well known region of Kenya, but Kirinyaga holds it’s own as an equal rival in quality. Along the southern edge of this stratovolcano, within the surrounding forests, these high elevation communities work the moisture and mineral-rich soil to produce what many believe to be not only the best coffees in Kenya, but possibly the world. Kirinyaga is due south of the crater and Nyeri is roughly 40 miles to the west. You tell me which one is best.

SL28 and SL34 are the sought after coffee varieties in Kenya, are synonymous with high quality Kenya coffee. SL stands for Scot Laboratories, a 1930’s government contracted study to improve upon the Bourbon types of coffee that the French Missionaries had introduced to Tanzania from Reunion (Bourbon) island, as well as some inputs from Yemen Typica seedstock. Coffee Leaf Rust and Coffee Berry Disease are huge problems in Kenya, and in recent years, more Kenya offerings include the hybrid Ruiru 11 and Batian varieties. These hybrids are more resistant to these crop diseases than the traditional SL varieties while still retaining high-quality potential for quality. Introduced to farmers in 1985, the Ruiru 11 cultivar creation was conducted at the coffee research station in Ruiru, just north of Nairobi. 

Founded in 1969, the Tegu factory is one of the largest and oldest within the Tekangu FCS. The factory is located just off the main road near the town of Karatina in Nyeri, on the eastern edge of Nyeri County, close to the border of Kirinyaga County. Tegu shares its name with the nearby river that provides the factory with the water it uses to process coffee cherries. With about 1200 members growing SL28, SL34, Ruiru11, and Batian under macadamia and eucalyptus at 1800 masl, Tegu is among Kenya’s most recognized Factories for reliably top-quality coffee over its long history of operation. The quality coming out is very high, and as result, Tekangu is always able to secure prices above the market standard. The Tekangu society relies on keeping the traceability throughout the supply chain and is able to return up to 85% of the sale price back to it’s members as well as distributing manure and coffee pulp to create an organic fertilizer to ensure plant productivity.

This lot is from the Tegu Factory and this AA is quite the stunner.  Simultaneously rich and refreshing on your palate, vibrant Tahitian pomelo and cantaloupe welcome you into a sensation that conjures summer. Sweetness with a syrupy texture, dried apricot’s weighed sweetness matched with the uplifting zest of rhubarb compote and cream expand it’s impressive integration of acidity and body to truly act as one. As the acidity crests, we ride the waves of fruit as they roll in on a vanilla wafer into a concord grape sunset. Once you reach the beach of an empty cup, you’ll want to paddle back out to brew another one. 

Photos by Red Fox

karatina kenya

  • Origin - Kenya

  • Province - Central Kenya

  • District - Nyeri

  • Community - Karatina

  • Washing Station - Tegu Factory

  • Cooperative - Tekangu Society

  • Altitude - 1600-1800 masl

  • Varieties - SL28, SL34, Batian, Ruiru11

  • Process - Washed

  • Experience - The joys of citrus season.