Coffee culture

Cultivation of Premium Coffee Beans from Kenya's Kirinyaga Region: AA Grade Washed Coffee from Karatina Kieni Factory

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Kenya's coffee trees are predominantly cultivated at altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 meters, with growing regions including Ruiri, Thika, Kirinyaga, Mt. Kenya West, Nyeri, Kiambu, and Muranga. The main cultivation areas are concentrated on the foothills of Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare Range. Many coffee-growing regions in Kenya strive to preserve native forest ecosystems, protect natural gene pools, and support the proliferation of wild coffee varieties.

Kenya's coffee trees are predominantly cultivated at altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 meters. The growing regions include Ruiri, Thika, Kirinyaga, Mt. Kenya West, Nyeri, Kiambu, and Muranga, with the foothills of Mt. Kenya and Aberdare serving as the primary areas.

Many coffee-producing regions in Kenya strive to preserve native forest ecosystems, protecting natural gene banks and supporting the propagation of wild coffee varieties, nurturing diverse coffee trees.

In 1930, Kenya's unique varieties SL28 and SL34, cultivated and named by the "Scott Laboratories" laboratory, were born in such favorable conditions.

According to SL laboratory botanists, SL28 and SL34 are genetic variants. Among them, SL28 possesses mixed lineage from French missionaries, Mocha, and Yemeni Typica. The original goal of cultivating SL28 was to mass-produce coffee beans that combined high quality with resistance to pests and diseases.

Although SL28's subsequent yield did not meet the expected high volumes, its copper-colored leaves and broad bean-shaped seeds produce wonderful sweetness, balance, and complex, varied flavors, along with distinctive citrus and plum characteristics. Meanwhile, SL34 shares similar flavor profiles with SL28 but offers a heavier, richer, and cleaner mouthfeel beyond its complex, varied acidity and delightful sweet finish. SL34 possesses lineage from French missionaries, Bourbon, and more Typica heritage. While its bean appearance resembles SL28, it demonstrates better adaptation to sudden heavy rainfall. It is these two important varieties that have led us to understand the unique Kenyan style: intense, rich fruit acidity, full body, and beautiful balance.

Flavor Profile

Intense lemon and plum aromas in both dry and wet fragrance. When light-roasted and cupped, it reveals surprising floral and lemon aromas, along with sweet-tart juiciness reminiscent of grapefruit green tea and citrus juice. With a slightly darker roast, honey and raspberry-black plum flavors emerge, while the aftertaste presents the pleasant sweet-tart character of green tea.

Origin and Processing

This Kenya comes from the Kongyu Processing Station of the Kabare Farmers' Cooperative Society in the Kirinyaga region. It undergoes the Kenyan double-washed processing method and grows on the eastern slopes of the Kenya mountains at altitudes of 1,550-1,750 meters in the Manyatta-Embu County. The varieties are the classic Kenyan SL28 and SL34. Combined with the significant day-night temperature variations and Kenya's red phosphoric soil, sweet and tart notes become the primary flavor foundation of this Kenyan coffee.

The fresh coffee cherries for this batch of Kongyu AA are harvested and processed by 250 farmers from the Kongyu Processing Station under the Kabare Farmers' Cooperative Society. After being pulped, fermented, and washed using water from the nearby Kongyu River, the coffee is placed on African drying beds for processing. During each harvesting season, farmers process nearly 300 tons of fresh coffee cherries. After processing completion, the coffee will participate in the weekly coffee auction held every Wednesday in Nairobi. Once selected by licensed exporters, it will be shipped to consumer markets worldwide.

Unique Character

In previous Kenyan coffees, we particularly enjoyed pursuing those angular, powerful fruit acids. However, this particular Kenya has shown us gentleness, like facing the sea with a gentle breeze blowing.

Product Information

Manufacturer: FrontStreet Coffee

Address: 10 Bao'an Qian Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

Contact: 020-38364473

Shelf Life: 90 days

Net Weight: 227g

Packaging: Bulk coffee beans

Roast Level: Roasted coffee beans

Sugar Content: Sugar-free

Origin: Kenya

Coffee Type: Other

Roast Degree: Light roast

Coffee Details

Country: Kenya

Grade: AA

Region: Kirinyaga region

Altitude: 1,550-1,750 meters

Soil: Red phosphoric soil

Processing Method: Kenyan double-washed processing

Varieties: SL28, SL34

Processing Station: Kongyu Processing Station

Producer: Kabare Farmers' Cooperative Society

Flavor Notes: Grapefruit green tea, citrus, raspberry-black plum

Located in East Africa, Kenya is one of the world's major coffee-producing countries, with approximately six million people nationwide engaged in the coffee industry, mostly in the form of small-scale farmers and cooperatives.

Important Notice :

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Tel:020 38364473

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