At the southern base of Mount Kenya is the region of Kirinyaga, located just north of Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi. Kirinyaga is home to the Kibirigwi Farmers Cooperative Society, which operates nine factories (also known as washing stations) in the region and has a total membership of 6,888 coffee farmers. Since the majority of coffee farmers in Kenya are smallholders (only producing a few bags of coffee at a time), cooperatives assist with collecting, processing, promoting, and then selling coffee on their members’ behalf. The Thunguri Coffee Factory is one of the nine washing stations of Kibirigwi, of which this particular coffee was collected and processed. In addition to its distinct flavors and overall high cup quality, Kenyan coffees are known for being thoroughly cleaned. Referred to as the 72-hour process, ripe coffee cherries are brought to the washing station to undergo wet processing to remove the skin and pulp. After being washed, the coffee goes through a triple fermentation process where the final stage uses fresh water to remove any remaining fruit mucilage from the green coffee bean. Once cleaned, the coffee is set out to dry on raised drying tables for between 7 to 15 days, depending on the outside temperature, and the total volume of coffee. The commitment to processing cherry, which was first nourished by the rich volcanic Kenyan soil, imparts powerful flavors and superior quality in the final cup. We’re thrilled to offer this incredible coffee from the Thunguri Coffee Factory. Enjoy!
