Kiaguthu AA
The Factory is situated along the southern slopes of Mount Kenya, near the Ruarai and Chinga Rivers in Southern Nyeri, close to the Murang’a County border. Producers will typically grow tea, maize, wheat, potato, kale, in addition to coffee whilst also raising cattle for dairy and chickens.
Situated at roughly 1,847 meters above sea level, the region where the Factory is located is defined by its bright red soils, full of rich nutrients for coffee trees. The high altitude allows for cool temperatures and ideal rainfall for the slow maturation of coffee cherries. Producers will add manure, compost, coffee pulp and green manure to enrich their soil.
- Farm Kiaguthu Factory
- Varietal Batian, Ruiru 11, SL28, SL34
- Process Fully washed
- Altitude 1,847 meters above sea level
- Town / City Othaya
- Region Nyeri County
- Owner Various smallholder producers
- Tasting Notes Raisins, Citrus Peel, Currants, Molasses
- Farm Size Less than 1 hectare on average
Despite its proximity to the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia, coffee growing was introduced in Kenya relatively late – by Scottish missionaries, initially, and then commercially around 1900. Despite the late start, today, it is a country renowned for having some of the best coffees in the world. Nonetheless, Kenya’s coffee sector faces challenges for the future, and low global prices combined with climate change and population growth have diminished the country’s output over the last decade.