Nav: Home > Coffee >

Introduction to Kenya's Premium Coffee Regions: Distinct Blackcurrant and Plum Notes from Kenya's Yeri Region

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange, more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style). FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Kenya's Nyeri Region. Kenya is located in eastern Africa, with the equator crossing its central region and the Great Rift Valley running north-south. It borders Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, Ethiopia and South Sudan to the north, and is adjacent to the Indian Ocean to the southeast.

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Kenya Nyeri Region

Kenya is located in eastern Africa, with the equator running through its central region and the East African Rift Valley stretching north to south. It borders Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Ethiopia and South Sudan to the north, with the Indian Ocean to the southeast. Kenya's coffee growing regions are mainly concentrated in the highland areas represented by Mount Kenya. The tropical climate and acidic red volcanic soil provide a naturally suitable growing environment for coffee.

Nyeri

Nyeri has always been a classic coffee growing region in Kenya. Relying on Mount Kenya, it has a superior environment suitable for coffee growth and is located in central Kenya. Typically, Kenyan Nyeri coffee is graded AA, with rich flavor and high body. It has highly recognizable blackcurrant and plum notes, with distinctly clean acidity and a long-lasting aftertaste.

Located in central Kenya, Nyeri is home to the extinct volcano Mount Kenya. The red soil in this region nurtures Kenya's finest coffee. Coffee is the most important crop in this region. Cooperative societies composed of small farmers are more common than large estates. This region has two harvest seasons, but coffee from the main season usually has higher quality. This region is famous for its substantial acidity like blackberry, as well as floral and fruity aromas.

No country in the world values the production of high-quality coffee as much as Kenya. In Nyeri, the primary method of processing green beans is washed processing. The grading system is based on bean size, with cupping determining the actual value. The highest grade coffee beans are AA (large beans retained on a 7.2mm sieve), A (second-largest beans retained on a 6.8mm sieve), B (medium beans retained on a 6.2mm sieve), C (all small beans smaller than B), PB (peaberry/oval-shaped beans), as well as TT and T grades for overly light and small beans.

Grade A and B beans are mixed together for export and called AB grade. The Kenyan authorities (CBK) have very high requirements for coffee beans, using consistent packaging. Combined with good quality and excellent texture, coffee lovers never forget to enjoy a cup of Kenyan coffee.

The cultivation history of Kenyan coffee dates back to the late 19th century. Coffee tree varieties were introduced from the northern neighboring country Ethiopia. After variety improvements, the common varieties now include Bourbon, Kents (SL34, SL28), Typica, and Riuri 11. Currently, about 90% of coffee cultivation varieties are SL34 and SL28.

In Brief

FrontStreet Coffee is a specialty coffee research center that loves to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation, aiming to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Every month, there are three low-discount coffee events because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest price. This has been FrontStreet Coffee's mission for the past 6 years!