Sarkin Kenya from the Casino Mocca roastery demands attention right after the first sniff and transforms into a pure, lively experience in the cup. The introduction belongs to red currants, which come through clearly and freshly. This is immediately followed by cherry tomatoes with juiciness and roundness that strengthen the middle of the flavor and maintain the tempo. The finish is rounded off by blood orange, long and attractively citrusy, leaving room on the palate for another sip. The profile is clear and precise, without unnecessary effects, making it confident even with minor adjustments to the recipe.
Sarkin Estate is located in the Kiambu district near Nairobi, at the foot of the Aberdare Mountains, at an altitude of around 1,700 meters above sea level. The 24-hectare plantation benefits from cooler nights and sunny days, which slow down ripening and promote a firm bean structure. Edwin Gicho Kinyanjui is a second-generation farmer who runs the farm with his family. In addition to coffee, they also grow bananas, avocados, and papayas. In Kenya, it is common for small farmers to sell their cherries to local cooperatives, but Sarkin is one of the smaller farms that has built its own washing station. This makes every part of the harvest traceable and the trade route short and direct. The combination of varieties, altitude, and slopes of Aberdare provides the basis for bright acidity and a clean finish in the cup.
Processing is done using the washed method. After hand picking, the cherries are pulped, the beans are washed in channels with clean water, and the remaining husks are mechanically removed. This is followed by soaking in water to unify the lot and then slow drying on raised beds until the beans reach a storage moisture content of around 10-12%. Careful washing, sorting, and drying keep the cup precise and stable across preparations, allowing you to fine-tune the grind, dose, and temperature.
- Altitude: 1700 m above sea level.