Kenya — Florence & Jessica Marigi Malaki Estate SL28 & SL34 (Washed)

Tastes Like — 🍊 Clementine • 🍇 Goji Berry • 🍈 Cantaloupe • 🍵 Rooibos Tea

DETAILS

• Producers: Florence Mukuhi Marigi & Jessica Marigi
• Farm: Malaki Estate
• Region: Githunguri, Kiambu County, Kenya
• Varietal: SL28 & SL34
• Process: Washed
• Elevation: 1,900+ masl

INTRO
Pure SL28 and SL34 lots have become increasingly difficult to find in Kenya, so Moonwake was excited to learn about Malaki Estate and its approach to preserving traditional Kenyan varieties while keeping a strong focus on quality. Refined, sweet clementine meets a distinct red goji berry character with lots of bright acidity. In the cup: clementine, goji berry, cantaloupe, and rooibos tea.

THE PRODUCER
Malaki Estate is a historic family-owned farm in Githunguri, Kiambu County, on the fertile western slopes of Kenya's Aberdare Range. It was established in 1959 by Edward Marigi and is now managed by his wife Florence Mukuhi Marigi and their daughter Jessica, one of the few remaining farms dedicated exclusively to traditional Kenyan varieties. At over 1,900 meters, the estate benefits from rich red volcanic soils, around 1,500 mm of annual rainfall, and cool temperatures of 13–24°C. Alongside coffee, the family keeps small-scale dairy, macadamia, and avocado production. The region has two harvests, an early crop from April to June and a second from October to December.

THE PROCESS
Following harvest, the coffee is processed by the traditional washed method. Cherries are pulped and fermented for 36 to 48 hours, depending on climatic conditions, then thoroughly washed and moved to raised drying beds. The parchment dries slowly over approximately 14 days, regularly turned for even moisture distribution and carefully hand-sorted to remove defects.

The 36–48 hour fermentation followed by slow, regularly turned drying is the defining combination. It's what gives this lot its clear expression of SL28 and SL34, with bright clementine acidity opening into a round cantaloupe sweetness.

THE CUP
Clear and approachable: refined clementine and red goji berry open the cup with bright acidity, which gives way to a round cantaloupe-like sweetness through the back half of the palate. The finish settles into a gentle, herbal rooibos tea.

Flavour Notes
🍊 Clementine 🍇 Goji Berry 🍈 Cantaloupe 🍵 Rooibos Tea