Kenya Nyeri – Othaya FCS – Karuthi Factory – Peaberry Top lot

Description

Mt. Kenya, at the helm of Kenya’s Central Province, is the second tallest peak on the continent of Africa and a commanding natural presence. The mountain itself is a single point inside a vast and surreal thicket of ascending national forest and active game protection communities. The central counties of Kenya extend from the center of the national park, like six irregular pie slices, with their points meeting at the peak of the mountain. It is along the lower edge of these forests where, in wet, high elevation communities with mineral-rich soil (Mt. Kenya is a stratovolcano) many believe the best coffees in Kenya, often the world, are crafted. Nyeri is perhaps the most well-known of these central counties.

Kenya Nyeri Othaya Karuthi is sourced from family owned farms located on the southeastern slopes of the Aberdares mountain ranges in Nyeri County, Kenya.  Farmers deliver their harvested cherry to be processed at the Karuthi Factory (wet mill), which is managed by the Othaya Farmers Co-operative Society.  Cooperative members generally cultivate around 250 coffee trees on half-acre plots intercropped with Bananas, Grevillea, and Macadamia trees.

Tasting Notes: Clean & classic Kenya coffee. Light to dark this will make a tasty cup. Although very identifiable as a Kenya, this is not an overly acidic coffee. Lighter roasts do have some lemony goodness but its crisp and defined, not mouth puckering. Hints of black tea spice with a small chocolaty factor are present even at lighter roasting and balance out the cup nicely. Sweet edged with a little fruity factor between the lemony floral front end and chocolaty spiced undertones. Medium roasts are smooth and accentuate the chocolaty factor, muting up most of the acidity, a very easy to drink cup. Darker roasts were equally as tasty and drinkable, retains it sweet edge and was not too roasty.

Roasting Notes: Beautiful prep and easy to roast. A Kenyan top lot is all about keeping some of the brighter tones. With this lot, to see it shine, a nice light/medium roast is the best bet. Dark roasts will be pretty awesome as long as you like strong coffee, but doesn’t quite scream Kenya, a bit milder spice darker roasted but still very tasty.