Kenya Murang'a

COUNTRY /// Kenya

TASTING NOTES /// Caramel, lemon candy & rosemary

REGION /// Murang'a County

PROCESS /// Washed

VARIETY /// SL34, SL28, Ruiru 11 & Batian

ALTITUDE MASL /// 1750

Murang'a County, in central Kenya, where Karugiro Factory is based, relies heavily on agriculture for both economic activity and daily sustenance. The main products produced here include coffee, tea, milk, fish. honey, maize, and beans. Founded in the early 1960s, the factory is part of the Kamacharia Farmers Cooperative Society and serves 1,300 members in a high potential farming zone. The cooperative society itself has nearly 6,200 members, with almost one-third being female.

Kenyan green coffee beans are renowned for their bold, fruit forward flavors and complex acidity. This coffee was grown in red volcanic soil at 1,750 masl, slowly ripening at high altitudes in cool temperatures. The dominant varieties include Kenya's signature SL-28 and SL-34, developed by Scott Agricultural Laboratories (hence, SL) in the 1930s for their drought resistance. exceptional cup quality, and high yield at elevated altitudes. Around 10% of the lot consists of Ruiru 11, a coffee berry disease resistant varietal introduced in 1968 and quickly adopted nationwide.