Rhubarb lemonade in the form of coffee? Rhubarb Fizz from the Dutch roastery DAK Coffee Roasters comes pretty close. This washed Kenyan filter coffee offers a distinctly juicy and fresh profile, blending tart rhubarb lemonade, intense black currant, and sweet citrusy orange. The result is a clean, lively, and layered coffee with pronounced fruity acidity that showcases exactly the aspect of Kenyan coffees that makes them so popular among lovers of light roasts.
The coffee comes from the Kirinyaga region in Kenya, where it is grown by smallholder farmers at an elevation of around 1,700 meters. Their harvest is managed by the Inoi Farmers Cooperative Society and processed at the Ndimi station. Rhubarb Fizz is an AA field blend—a lot composed of several varieties grown by local producers. Specifically, it features the traditional Kenyan SL28 and SL34 varieties alongside Ruiru 11 and Batian. It is precisely this combination of high altitude, multiple varieties, and local conditions that results in a distinct fruitiness and a bright flavor profile in the cup.
A traditional washed processing method was chosen for Rhubarb Fizz. With this method, after harvesting the ripe coffee cherries, the skin and most of the pulp are removed, and the beans are then cleaned using water. Thanks to the limited contact between the beans and the fruit pulp, washed coffees are often characterized by a very clean and distinct profile. In the case of this lot, the bright acidity and distinct fruity notes—ranging from rhubarb soda to black currant and orange—truly stand out.
- Producer: Inoi Farmers Cooperative Society / Ndimi Factory
- Elevation: 1,700 m above sea level