Description
Washed Coffee Gathaithi: An Elegant Capital of Kenya
This exceptional washed coffee is processed at the Gathaithi Factory in Nyeri, an area renowned for its intense, complex and rich flavor profiles of its coffees. The Gathaithi Factory, operated by the Gathaithi Farmers’ Society, is located at an altitude of 1450 meters above sea level, providing ideal conditions for growing coffee. About 1,600 active farmers, each with small farms comprising 100 to 250 trees, deliver their cherries to this station. They mainly grow SL varieties, with a portion of Ruiru 11, contributing to a coffee that incorporates the region’s rich volcanic soils and meticulous processing techniques.
The washing method at Gathaithi involves hand sorting the cherries to remove unripe or overripe fruit. An Agaarde disk dekering machine removes the skin and pulp, and the kernels are sorted by density. The highest quality beans are fermented for 16-24 hours, washed and then soaked in clean water for 16-18 hours. This meticulous process, followed by sun drying on African drying beds for up to 21 days, yields a coffee with great structure and elegance, with notes of blackcurrant, black tea, citrus, white grape and apricot.
Handpickers chose Washed Gathaithi Coffee for its excellent quality and unique flavor profile. The cooperative society’s commitment to traditional methods and quality control ensures a cup that is not only delicious but also a true representation of Nyeri’s fine coffee heritage. This selection supports the cooperative’s efforts and highlights the complex journey from cherry to cup.
Region: Nyeri
Variety: Ruiru 11, SL-34, SL-28
Processing: Washed
Altitude: 1450
Crop Year: 2024
Cupping Score by Q-grader: 87.25
