Kenya AB Sasini Estates Washed RFA
About This Coffee
The Region
Kiambu county is located just outside of Nairobi city. The region has a long history of coffee production and is famous for its large estates, which were originally established by British colonists in the early 20th century.
After decolonisation the estates were sold to local Kenyans who have been managing them since. While estates such as this used to produce the majority of Kenyan coffee, the increased urban sprawl from Nairobi, as well as the increasing land value in the region has meant that estate coffee production has gradually diminished, while smallholder production elsewhere has increased. Nevertheless, estates such as these continue a legacy of many generations of coffee production, supported by unparalleled local knowledge and experience.
Kiambu has all the ingredients for arabica coffee to flourish: it is close to the equator, has iron rich, semi-volcanic soils, abundant sunshine and consistently high altitudes up to 2,000masl. The cool night time temperatures in these fertile highlands allows cherries to mature slowly, developing the acidity and complexity in the final cup.
The Process
This lot employs a traditional Kenyan fully washed process. This processing regimen is seen throughout Kenya's specialty coffee regions and is supported by many generations of shared knowledge and skill.
Selected cherries are pre-graded and then de-pulped. The pulped coffee is then fermented for 12 - 48 hours in water tanks to breakdown the remaining mucilage on the bean. After fermentation the coffee, still in its husk (parchment) is washed in clean water grading channels. This series of declining channels allows the heaviest, densest beans to sink. These are processed separately as they represent the highest quality beans. After washing the parchment is soaked in clean water and then dried in the sun on raised African beds for 2-3 weeks where it is periodically turned and covered to protect against moisture or the heat of the midday sun.
- Subregion Kiambu County
- Farm Name Sasini Estates
- Producer Type Single Estate
- Processing Washed
- Bag Types Grain Pro / Ecotact
- Plant Species Arabica
- Variety Batian, Ruiru 11, SL28, SL34
- Min Growing Altitude 1600m
- Max Growing Altitude 2000m
- Screen Size 15 Up
- On Sale No
- Top Lot No
- Price Per Kg £7.95
- Status Spot
- Certifications Rainforest Alliance Certified (IP)
- Coffee Grade KEN CA WA AB PLUS
- CTRM Contract Number P8001789-1
- Origin Kenya
- Warehouse Vollers Group Uk