Paloma - Kenya Gatuya AA Washed Filter 250 g

Origin : Kenya

Region : Muranga

Processing method: Washed

Variety : Batian, SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11

Cupping score: 88 / 100

Farm : Various smallholder farmer members of the New Murarandia Farmers Cooperative Society

Altitude : 1850 m a.s.l.

ABOUT THE FARM

The Gatuya coffee processing station is one of two washing stations managed by the New Murarandia Farmers Cooperative Society, which brings together approximately 3,500 smallholder producers. Each farmer owns a farm ranging from about 1/5 to 1/3 of a hectare and delivers coffee to the station in the form of freshly harvested cherries.

Kenyan microlots can be traced back to a specific processing station, and whenever possible, to an individual farm. They are selected based on the evaluation of coffee quality during cupping. Since most Kenyan growers own between 1/8 and 1/4 of a hectare of land, the harvested cherries usually go to a local station, where they are sorted and processed. Deliveries from various farmers are combined there and processed into batches covering the harvest delivered on a given day.

Due to the huge number of samples requiring evaluation, our green coffee buyer usually stays in Kenya throughout the entire harvest period. From the evaluated batches, they select the best ones, which we then purchase as microlots consisting of fewer than 100 bags.

ABOUT THE PROCESSING

Most coffee in Kenya comes from smallholder producers delivering cherries to processing stations that specialize primarily in fully washed coffees. Larger estates are also known mainly for producing coffees processed using this method.

The washed process may vary slightly depending on the location, but it typically includes a soaking stage characteristic of Kenya. Ripe coffee cherries are picked and depulped on the very same day. The beans then ferment for 24–48 hours in open concrete or cement tanks. After fermentation, they are thoroughly rinsed in water channels and then soaked in water for 12–72 hours. Finally, they are spread out on raised beds to dry.

Store in a cool and dry place.