As fresh as homemade lemonade, as juicy as a ripe peach, and with a pleasant citrus character—that’s this Kenyan coffee from the New Zealand roaster Slow Coffee. In the cup, sparkling lemonade, yuzu, rhubarb, and peach come together to create a lively, sweet, and refreshing flavor profile. The sparkling lemonade brings a zesty citrus freshness, the yuzu adds a more pronounced aromatic note, and the rhubarb lends a pleasantly tart character. The peach then softens the entire profile with its sweetness and gives it a rounder finish. This is a light-roast filter coffee that captivates with its clarity, juiciness, and a playful combination of citrus and fruity notes.
The coffee comes from the Kirinyaga region of Kenya, where the Karimikui Factory processing station is located on the fertile volcanic slopes of Mount Kenya. Founded in 1997, the factory operates under the Rungeto Farmers Co-operative Society, which brings together approximately 600 smallholder farmers. In the Ngariama area, these farmers grow coffee trees alongside banana trees, corn, and other trees. The farms are located at an elevation of 1,600–1,750 meters above sea level, where the cooler climate and regular rainfall promote slower ripening of the coffee cherries. This lot consists of the SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11, and Batian varieties.
The beans were processed using the washed method and subsequently sorted into the AB size grade. The washed process helps preserve the purity of the flavor profile and allows the fresh, fruity notes characteristic of this coffee to shine through. The result is a clean, juicy, and refreshing Kenyan coffee whose character is reminiscent of a glass of freshly made fruit lemonade.
- Processing station: Karimikui Factory
- Producer: Rungeto Farmers Co-operative Society
- Elevation: 1,600–1,750 m above sea level