Kenya 2008: Nyeri Region: Kiandu Lot 8696

Affiliation: Mutheka Farmers COOP
Mill Date: 6.23.08
Elevation: 1600m above sea level
Varietal: SL 28, SL 34
Soil: Red volcanic loam soils

This Kenya was a coup for us. We entered the mix late and were able to scoop out this coffee with only the worry of how it would arrive. That issue was shortly solved when we discovered arrangements had been made that allowed us the option to get this coffee vacuum sealed at origin. So we did.

No romantic story here, we got it vac sealed and away from jute having it then shipped quickly. When the coffee arrived, the clean fresh aroma of the green reaffirmed so much of what we believe. The ripeness and sweet candied fruit of this coffee just made it worth the effort simply on grounds of it's syrupy liquor.

I think many roasters would take this coffee to a darker drop. We chose the latter, to highlight the fruit in pleasant way and challenge those who have bad impressions of classic Kenya 'acidity' to rethink what that means. Kenyan coffees are hard, they are difficult to roast correctly and this shows up a lot in the cup of many a roaster whose hand doesn't steer the till carefully enough. The tannin astringent acidity often occurring in a Kenya coffee is not necessarily the terroir of the coffee, it is quite often a byproduct of the roast profile.

This Kenya is an interesting example. It's not the high aroma Kenya we often look for, it's more candy fruit focused. This has the distinct Kenya aroma but in a softer profile with a more intense deep cherry/berry note and vanilla finish. So let's get to the tasting notes.

Dry Aroma(the grounds): Citrus zest
Wet Aroma(brewing): Ripe Melon
Hot Cup: Black Cherry, Dark Black Berries, Vanilla
Aftertaste: Candied Yam
Cool Cup: Red Mixed Berry Fruits

From experience, I know the yam note is from our roaster's direct flame element and it will fade slowly into the background in the days after it was roasted. The red fruit elements will clarify and come to the front as roast notes fade away. This coffee is lively with fruit but easy to drink. We recommend this as a Syphon brew (92C) or a good paper filter brew(finer grind). Not for french press or pour over.

$16.95/12oz