Kiamugumo, Kenya

This fully washed AA Top Lot comes from the Kiamugumo Washing Station, one of 3 factories managed by the New Ngariama Farmers Cooperative Society (FCS) in Kirinyaga County, located in the Central Highlands of Kenya.

The factory works with 1,500 member farmers, approximately 60% men and 40% women. These small local farmers grow an average of only 200 coffee trees at altitudes of up to 1,800m above sea level.

Kiamugumo was the third and final washing station established by the cooperative, built to deal with increasing volume pressure at both Kamwangi and Kainamui. Kirinyaga County borders Nyeri, which lies between the eastern base of the Aberdare (Nyandarua) Range, which forms part of the eastern end of the Great Rift Valley, and the western slopes of Mount Kenya. Nyeri town (the county seat) is a destination for those visiting Aberdare National Park and Mount Kenya.

The combination of fertile soil, seasonal rainfall and high altitude provides the ideal climate for coffees characterised by high acidity, full body and ripe fruit flavours. Due to the low temperatures at altitude, particularly at night, Nyeri coffees tend to develop and mature slowly, producing very dense and firm beans with high acidity and complexity.

Farmers hand sort coffee cherries to detect unripe and overripe ones before they go into production. The pulp is removed and the coffee is fermented for 24-36h in the shade, depending on the weather temperatures. After fermentation, the coffees are washed and re-sorted by density in washing channels. They are then taken to drying tables where they will be sun-dried on African drying beds for 12-20 days (depending on weather conditions). The coffees are covered with plastic during midday and night to protect the beans from nighttime humidity and rains.