Kenyan Coffee Characteristics: Flavor Profile and Price Guide

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Kenya Coffee Beans

In 1878, the British introduced coffee to Africa, establishing coffee cultivation areas in Kenya during the 19th century. At that time, Ethiopian coffee beverages were imported to Kenya via South Yemen. However, it wasn't until the early 20th century that Bourbon coffee trees were introduced by the St. Austin Mission.

Kenya Coffee Bean Origin:

Kenya coffee mostly grows at altitudes between 1,500-2,100 meters, with harvests occurring twice a year. Kenya coffee is cultivated by small-scale farmers. Kenya coffee beans are produced near Mount Kenya in central Kenya, sometimes bearing the name of the capital Nairobi (Nairobi) to guarantee their quality. Kenya AA (Kenya AA) is produced on the 17,000-foot slopes of Mount Kenya near Kenya's capital Nairobi. Kenya AA represents the largest coffee beans in the country, followed by A, then B. Its distinctive bitterness and wine-like flavor are most highly praised. Located in East Africa beneath the equator, Kenya cultivates high-quality Arabica varieties. The beans are medium to large in size, very rich and flavorful, with moderate acidity.

Characteristics of Kenya Coffee Beans:

Coffee industry professionals universally regard Kenya coffee beans as one of their favorite products, featuring wonderfully delightful and satisfying aromas, balanced and palatable acidity, uniform granules, and excellent fruit flavors.

Kenya coffee bean grades are divided into seven levels based on bean size, and further classified into six quality grades from top to bottom based on flavor. Kenya's best coffee grade is Peaberry (PB), followed by AA++, AA+, AA, AB, and so on, in descending order. Premium coffee exhibits bright luster, delicious taste, and a slight wine aroma. In terms of flavor, "Kenya AA" is particularly highly acclaimed.

Kenya coffee beans possess a slightly acidic, rich aroma, with smaller green beans ranging from green to gray-green in color. Kenya coffee beans are washed Arabica varieties, renowned as (Kenya Arabica), especially in Britain where Kenya coffee beans have surpassed Costa Rican coffee to become one of the most popular varieties.

Flavor: Aromatic, rich, with fruit flavors, rich and perfect mouthfeel

Recommended roasting method: Light roast, medium-light roast

★★★: Excellent

Kenya Coffee Bean Market:

The Kenyan government takes the coffee industry extremely seriously, where cutting down or destroying coffee trees is illegal. Buyers of Kenya coffee beans are world-class premium coffee purchasers, and no other country can continuously cultivate, produce, and sell coffee like Kenya. All coffee beans are first purchased by the Kenya Coffee Board (Coffee Board of Kenya,简称CBK), where they undergo inspection and grading, then are sold at weekly auctions without further grading during bidding. The Kenya Coffee Board only acts as an agent, collecting coffee samples and distributing them to buyers to help them determine price and quality. The Nairobi auction is held for private exporters, with the Kenya Coffee Board paying growers below-market prices.

After harvesting coffee, Kenya coffee bean plantations first send fresh coffee beans to cooperative washing stations, where washed and dried coffee is sent to cooperatives in "parchment coffee" state (coffee beans covered with endocarp). "Parchment coffee" is the final state before coffee beans are hulled. All coffee is collected together, with growers demanding average prices based on actual quality. This trading method generally works well and is fair to both growers and consumers.

Organizing auctions also serves to meet the needs of blenders. These auctions typically involve smaller quantities (3-6 tons per lot), with samples bearing grower markings provided for buyer tasting. After auction, exporters package according to different flavors, qualities, and quantities required by blenders. This provides blenders with great flexibility. Quality-conscious Germans and Nordics are long-term buyers of Kenya coffee beans. Some buyers, particularly Japanese merchants, have expressed dissatisfaction with Kenya's coffee industry system. Nevertheless, Kenya's detailed regulations and完善的 procedures serve as a worthy model for all coffee-producing countries.

Kenya AA beans are round, with thick pulp, excellent heat conductivity, high refinement, and when French roasted, produce rich, sweet flavors with body, better expansion, and superior aroma and sweetness.

Kenya's best coffee grade is Peaberry (PB), followed by AA++, AA+, AA, AB, and so on, in descending order. Premium coffee exhibits bright luster, delicious taste, and a slight wine aroma. Organizing auctions also serves to meet the needs of blenders.

The coffee is aromatic, rich, with fruit flavors, and a rich, perfect mouthfeel. Kenya coffee beans possess a wonderful fruit flavor, tasting like blackberry and grapefruit, making them a favorite among many coffee connoisseurs. This Kenya coffee bean features excellent medium purity, with a crisp and refreshing mouthfeel. The flavor is fresh and particularly suitable for making iced coffee in summer.

When tasting this coffee, pairing it with acidic fruits like grapefruit will surely provide the best coffee experience. "Not quite like coffee, but more like fruit tea" is a common feeling many people share about this light-roast Kenya coffee bean. Different climates and rainfall each year bring various distinct and unique personalities. Take the AA Plus grade "Kenya AA+ Samburu" as example: the 2001 Samburu had rich plum aroma, moderate acidity, and rich mouthfeel, while the 2002 winter newly harvested Samburu presented completely different flavors - mulberry berries and green plums accompanied by slight Southeast Asian spice (Spicy) notes, with a lingering green tea sweetness after drinking, acidity slightly higher than the previous year, and maintaining rich mouthfeel. Generally common Kenya coffee is not rich in body but has bright fruit-like flavors, some with spice notes, others with red wine aroma. Kenya coffee beans continually fill coffee enthusiasts with anticipation and surprise!

Kenya Coffee Bean Brand Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee's roasted Kenya coffee beans offer complete assurance in both brand and quality. More importantly, they offer extremely high value for money - a 227-gram box costs only 95 yuan. Calculating at 15 grams per cup, one package can make 15 cups of coffee, with each cup costing only about 6 yuan, making it a conscientious recommendation compared to café prices that often reach dozens of yuan per cup.

Important Notice :

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Tel:020 38364473