Shoebox Coffee Roasters - Kiangundo AA Washed | Kenya

Kenya — Kiama FCS Kiangundo Washing Station SL-28, SL-34, Batian & Ruiru (Washed, AA)

Tastes Like — 🍇 White Grape • 🫐 Black Currant • 🍊 Pu-erh Tea Orange

DETAILS

• Producer: 839 smallholder farmers organized around Kiama FCS
• Washing Station: Kiangundo
• Region: Nyeri, Kenya
• Varietal: Field Blend of SL-28, SL-34, Batian & Ruiru
• Process: Washed
• Altitude: 1,800 masl

INTRO A classical black currant cup from Kiangundo washing station in Nyeri — a delightful companion coffee to the predominantly red-fruited Ichuga from the same cooperative. Blackberry and black currant jump to the top of the palate while hot, giving way to cleaner tones of white grape, orange blossom, and black tea, reminiscent of a pu-erh tea orange. In the cup: white grape, black currant, and pu-erh tea orange.

THE PRODUCER Within the Kiama FCS, Kiangundo operates at a scale similar to Ichuga, with 839 members delivering cherry to the site at 1,800 masl. Jackson Mahu Kooro, an active Kiama member who also delivers cherry to Ichuga, now oversees operations at Kiangundo after 17 years working there as a machine operator. Through Jackson's dedication and the work of five permanent on-site staff, Kiangundo's quality has remained stable year over year.

THE PROCESS This lot is Washed, a method that removes the fruit before fermentation and drying — letting the field blend's naturally bright, black-fruited character come through clearly, building the blackberry and black currant intensity that opens this cup before the cleaner grape, orange blossom, and black tea notes emerge.

THE CUP Classically black currant-driven — blackberry and black currant jump to the top of the palate while hot, giving way to cleaner white grape, orange blossom, and black tea as it cools, reminiscent of a pu-erh tea orange.

Flavour Notes 🍇 White Grape 🫐 Black Currant 🍊 Pu-erh Tea Orange