This Kenyan coffee from the Australian roastery Black Mass Roasters in Brisbane is juicy, clean, and very lively, yet it maintains a sweet and smooth profile. The flavor combines orange, honeycomb, and pear, resulting in a cup characterized by citrus freshness, honeyed sweetness, and a delicate, rounded fruitiness. The resulting profile is distinct but not sharp—rather lively and very well-structured, with a clean finish and that typical Kenyan sparkle. It’s exactly the kind of cup that comes across as bright, juicy, and confident, yet is also very easy and natural to drink. Black Mass has long relied on distinctive and precisely selected lots, and this Kenyan coffee beautifully demonstrates how well the combination of intense acidity and a sweet base can work.
The coffee comes from Kenya, from the Nyeri region , and is produced by the Aguthi Farmers Co-operative Society. Processing takes place at the Thageini Washing Station in Tetu, an area that has long been closely associated with high-quality Kenyan coffee. The origin alone suggests that this will be a cup with high clarity, bright acidity, and good structure. The lot consists of the SL28, SL34 , and Ruiru 11 varieties — a combination of classic Kenyan varieties and more modern, hardier ones. The coffee trees grow at an altitude of 1,650 to 1,800 meters, which creates ideal conditions for slower cherry ripening and the development of a complex flavor profile. It is precisely the combination of the Nyeri terroir, the local station, and the typical varieties that is very distinctly reflected in the final cup.
The processing method is listed here as Carbonic Maceration Washed, meaning a washed method supplemented with carbonic maceration. This means that the coffee relies not only on the classic washed clarity but also on controlled fermentation, which helps further develop the sweetness and structure. The result is a very attractive combination of a bright, precise washed profile and a subtly more modern, smoother depth. On the palate, this translates to clean citrus, a sweetness reminiscent of honeycombs, and a subtle pear note that pleasantly rounds out the entire cup. It is a Kenyan coffee that possesses energy and brightness, yet does not come across as harsh or aggressive. On the contrary, it offers a very precise, juicy, and sweetly structured profile.
- Producer: Aguthi Farmers Co-operative Society
- Processing station: Thageini Washing Station, Tetu
- Altitude: 1,650–1,800 m a.s.l.