Kenya — Gikira Estate SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11 & Batian (Fully Washed)

Tastes Like — 🫐 Blackcurrant • 🍇 Kyoho Grape • 🫐 Blackberry • 🍬 Brown Sugar

DETAILS

• Producer: Gikira Estate
• Region: Othaya, Nyeri, Kenya
• Varietal: SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11 & Batian
• Process: Fully Washed
• Elevation: 1,800 masl
• Crop: Picked Oct–Dec 2025, arrived Jun 2026

INTRO From Gikira Estate, at the foot of Mt. Kenya in Othaya — blackcurrant and Kyoho grape sweetness lead, with a blackberry depth and a brown sugar finish. In the cup: blackcurrant, Kyoho grape, blackberry, and brown sugar.

THE PRODUCER Established in 1966 along the Gikira River, Gikira Estate spans 15 acres in Othaya, Nyeri County. Nestled at the foot of Africa's second-highest peak, the region's high elevation, abundant rainfall, and mineral-rich volcanic soil create ideal terroir for world-class coffee. Gikira is a proud member of the Kenya Cooperative Coffee Exporters (KCCE), formed in 2009 and representing nearly 4,000 estates and cooperatives. By managing marketing and export directly rather than relying on third parties, KCCE cuts out middlemen — capturing higher profit margins for farmers, providing timely financial support, and empowering sustainable production.

THE PROCESS Coffee cherries are meticulously hand-sorted and depulped daily. Following fermentation and thorough rinsing, the parchment dries on raised beds for 2–3 weeks until reaching 10–12% moisture, then rests in perforated bins to stabilise humidity, ensuring freshness during long-distance transit.

The perforated-bin humidity stabilisation is the defining detail here — it's what preserves the blackcurrant and Kyoho grape brightness during transit, keeping the cup's brown sugar sweetness clean and consistent.

THE CUP Rich and fruit-forward — blackcurrant and Kyoho grape lead, with blackberry depth through the middle, finishing on a brown sugar sweetness. A direct-trade expression of Nyeri's classic profile.

Flavour Notes 🫐 Blackcurrant 🍇 Kyoho Grape 🫐 Blackberry 🍬 Brown Sugar