Orange & Blackberry
Harvest: December 2023

Country: Kenya
Producer: Kii washing station
Region: Kirinyaga
Process: Washed
Variety: SL28, SL34, Batian & Ruiru 11
Altitude: 1,600 – 1,800 masl

Perched in the southern foothills of Mount Kenya on rich red volcanic soil, the areas surrounding the Kii factory are ideal for producing some of the finest Kenyan coffee. The farmers here typically cultivate around 250 coffee trees on half-acre plots, delivering their cherries to the Kii factory for processing. Kii is one of three washing stations managed by the Rungeto Farmers Cooperative, who have gained a reputation for producing outstanding coffee. It’s no coincidence that this cooperative also manages some of the cleanest and well organised factories in Kenya. For the last three years we’ve been buying our Kenyan coffee exclusively from this group.


At Kii only the ripest cherries are delivered, and additional hand sorting and floating is done to remove less dense and damaged beans, before the coffee is depulped, fermented and washed. After the coffee is washed, it’s soaked in fresh water for up to 24 hours. It is thought that this additional step gives the coffee that characteristic ‘Kenya’ flavour. The beans are dried over a period of two weeks on raised beds, which are carefully constructed to ensure proper air circulation and temperature control for even drying. When the coffee is milled for export, the green beans are sorted by screen size and graded according to size and shape. Larger beans (17/18 screen) are labeled AA, 15/16 screen are labeled AB, and the much smaller peaberries are labeled PB.

This year we found the highest quality came from the largest (AA) beans which is what this lot consists of. Expect a juicy, well balanced cup with notes of orange and blackberry.

Price we paid: €14.26/kg  

FOB: €10.79/kg  

Weight Purchased: 420kg  

Relationship: 2 years  

Importer: Nordic Approach