AA Karundu

The Rugi Farmers’ Cooperative Society was formed in 2005 and includes eight factories, serving ~4,500 members, with ~600 delivering to the Karundu Factory, where this coffee comes from. Karundu, meaning “small shrub” in Kikuyu, is located in Nyeri County about 150 kilometers from the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. This coffee was grown in red volcanic soil, slowly ripening at high altitudes in cool temperatures. The dominant varieties are Kenya’s signature SL-28 and SL-34, developed by Scott Agricultural Laboratories.
Grading Kenyan coffee looks different than grading around the world. For over a century, coffee trading was run through a government-run auction system – designed to reward quality with higher prices. This came its own grading system that categorizes beans by size. The “AA” grade this coffee has sits at the very top of the scale, meaning it’s the largest bean that also maintains proper density. Although bean size does not always mean higher quality, this system is based off the belief that larger beans produce better flavor due to the extended time the plant had to grow the cherries. This further develops flavor compounds, oils and sugars, contributing to a richer profile capable of withstanding roasting. This ideology is debated among Kenyan coffee tasters who grade based off other factors as well, but this system works well for the varieties grown in Kenya.

Farm details:

Producer: Karundu Factory

Farm/Co-op: Rugi Farmer’s Cooperative Society

Region: Nyeri County

Country: Kenya

Altitude: 1850 masl

Process: Washed

Varietal: SL 34, SL 28

Flavor profile:

Taste: Blackberry, Green Apple, Lime

Acidity: High

Sweetness: Medium

Body: Medium Plus