Kenya Kangiri AA New Irati Factory
New Irati Factory
The New Irati Factory was established in the 1970s, joining four other mills that serve the Kangiri Farmer’s Cooperative Society. Today, New Irati works with over 600 smallholders with roughly 150 hectares of land under coffee. The factory produces around 190 metric tons of cherry annually, collected from farms situated on rich volcanic soil of Murang’a County.
Washed Process Kenya Coffee
Producers handpick ripe cherries in the early morning and transport them to the wet mill, where the cherries are spread out for sorting. Clean water is poured into the de-pulper, which removes the outer fruit of the cherries between two rotating abrasive slabs. The de-pulped beans then sink into the fermentation tank, where they are left overnight to allow the mucilage to break down.
The next day, the wet mill manager checks the fermentation tanks and decides to proceed with processing based on the "feel" of the fermented parchment. As the washed beans spill into the washing channels, producers repeatedly push the coffee with wooden shunts to sort the beans by density. The denser, higher-quality beans are then left to sun-dry on raised beds until they reach a moisture content of 10-12%.
Kenya Green Coffee Beans
Although Kenya and Ethiopia share a border, their coffee histories diverge significantly. French missionaries introduced coffee to Kenya in 1893, leading to the establishment of large coffee estates. Until 2006, green coffee from Kenya could only be traded through the national auction system, but new legislation has since allowed producers to sell directly to buyers, transforming the industry.
Kenya's coffee production has maintained its reputation for quality and consistency through meticulous management at the washing stations. Nationwide, over 600,000 smallholder farmers are organized into Farmer Cooperative Societies (FCS), which play a crucial role in overseeing traceability and quality control for their members.
Kenyan green coffee beans are renowned for their bold, fruit-forward flavors and complex acidity. Among the most celebrated varietals are SL-28 and SL-34, developed by Scott Agricultural Laboratories (hence, SL) in the 1930s for their drought resistance, exceptional cup quality, and high yield at elevated altitudes. Following a coffee berry disease (CBD) epidemic in 1968, the CBD-resistant Ruiru-11 varietal was introduced and quickly adopted nationwide. In 2010, the Coffee Research Institute (CRI) developed Batian, another resistant varietal prized for its tall, hardy growth and manageability by smallholders.
COFFEE INFORMATION
Origin | Kenya |
Variety | SL28, SL34, Ruiri 11, Batian |
Process | Washed |
Factory | New Irati Factory |
Region | Kigumo |
Farmers | 600 Smallholders |
Station | New Irati |
Drying Practices | Raised African Beds |
Elevation (MASL) | 1500-1650 |
Origin Cup Score | 88 |
Farmer-first Information
We take a farmer-first approach when sourcing our coffee, recognizing that the best coffee often comes from family-owned farms. Our commitment ensures that farmers are fairly compensated for producing the highest quality coffee. Our approach goes beyond coffee; it's about empowering farmers and their families to thrive.
- Farmer/Producer Relationship Length with BLCC: 1 years
- Farm Gate (price paid to farmer): $5.25 (per lb)
- Fairtrade Premium (source: fairtrade.net): $2.19 (per lb)
- Percent above Fairtrade Premium: 234%
Facts about Coffee Farms across the world
It's a fact that the world's coffee comes from families, not big corporations. Every bag of coffee that we deliver to you comes directly from these incredible coffee-producing families. Their dedication to their craft and commitment to sustainable practices truly make every sip of our coffee a unique experience. This is the ethos that drives us every single day.
Our Coffees
Barronett Blend
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Colombia Finca La Secreta Lychee Caturra Anaerobic
Colombia Finca La Secreta Lychee Caturra Anaerobic
Colombia Red Bourbon Geisha Campo Hermoso
Colombia Red Bourbon Geisha Campo Hermoso
Costa Rica Central Valley Honey Geisha
Costa Rica Central Valley Honey Geisha
Costa Rica Don Senel Red Honey Natural
Costa Rica Don Senel Red Honey Natural
Costa Rica Hacienda La Minita
Costa Rica Hacienda La Minita
Costa Rica Lilo Microlot
Costa Rica Lilo Microlot
El Salvador Ojo De Agua Anaerobic
El Salvador Ojo De Agua Anaerobic
El Salvador Wheat Whiskey Barrel Aged/45th Parallel Distilling
El Salvador Wheat Whiskey Barrel Aged/45th Parallel Distilling
Ethiopia Guji Buku Sayisa G1 Natural
Ethiopia Guji Buku Sayisa G1 Natural
Ethiopia Guji Sewda Natural
Ethiopia Guji Sewda Natural
Ethiopia Sidama Bombe G1 Washed
Ethiopia Sidama Bombe G1 Washed
Ethiopia Sidama Karamo Anaerobic Natural
Ethiopia Sidama Karamo Anaerobic Natural
Frozen Tundra Blend
Frozen Tundra Blend
Holiday Blend 24/25
Holiday Blend 24/25
Honduras Honey Decaf Mountain Water
Honduras Honey Decaf Mountain Water
Honduras Miriam Elizabeth Perez Zelaya Marcala Naturals