Concept Kenya Kamwangi 250 gr

Small Farmers

Kamwangi is a washing station—or factory, as they are called in Kenya—that is owned by the New Ngariama Farmer’s Cooperative Society, in the Kirinyaga district. It sits on the slopes of Mt. Kenya in the agriculturally rich Central Province at 1,610 meters above sea level. The cooperative has three washing stations: Kamwangi, Kainumui and Kiamugumo. Kamwangi is the largest of the three and was established in 1982. The cooperative works with around 1,500 local farmers who cultivate the varieties of Ruiru 11, SL28 and Batian at altitudes up to 1,800 masl. Kamwangi has been consistently producing some of the most outstanding Kenyan coffees for a few seasons now, a testament to the diligence of their farmers and the factory staff.

Harvest and Processing

Farmers hand-pick and deliver cherries to the factory, receiving an advance payment, with the remainder paid after the coffee is sold. The process begins with a three-disc Agaarde pulper, which removes the skin and pulp and sorts the coffee by density. The coffee is then dry-fermented for 18 to 36 hours in concrete tanks, followed by washing and a second density sorting. Finally, the beans are sun-dried for 12 to 20 days on African beds, which are covered during the hottest parts of the day and at night. Harvesting takes place from October to December, following the flowering period from February to March. The coffee is grown on fertile red volcanic Nitisol soil, common in the highlands.

About this Coffee

Cupping score: 87.75

Washing Station: Kamwangi
Producer: regional small farmers
Region: Kirinyaga
Altitude: 1600 – 1800 masl
Variety: SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11
Processing: washed

About the Variety

SL28 was bred by Scott Laboratories in 1931 from the Tanganyika D.R. variety. It has become very popular across Kenya and is recognized as a variety with exceptional cup quality. It has broad leaves with copper tips and large beans. SL 34 is a French Mission mutation that originated on the Loresho Estate in Kabete. SL34 has broad leaves with bronze tips. It is grown throughout Kenya. SL34 is prized for its high productivity across various climates and wide altitude ranges. It is said to be resistant to drought and heavy rains.

Kenyan Process

The cherries are first pulped to remove the beans, then fermented, washed—sometimes in multiple cycles—and soaked in water. The bean is then dried and rested on specially constructed raised beds.
washed coffee processing