Hydrangea - Karinga AA Washed | Kenya
Tastes Like: 🫐Blackberry 🍇Syrah 🌿Lavender
Origin: Karinga, Kiambu, Kenya
Variety: SL-34, SL-28, Ruiru-11, Batian
Producer: Karinga F.C.S
Elevation: 1,840 masl
Process: Washed
The Karinga AA lot comes from the Gitwe Farmers Cooperative Society, which manages the Karinga Factory in Kiambu, Kenya. Established in 1983, the factory works with roughly 650 smallholder farmers, each cultivating coffee on about one hectare alongside other crops. After harvest, freshly picked cherries are delivered daily for meticulous sorting, depulping, and a 12–24 hour fermentation, followed by thorough washing and drying on raised beds for 8–13 days. Through its partnership with Coffee Management Services, Karinga continues to focus on improving quality and supporting its members through agronomic training, seed access, and on-farm guidance. This collaborative effort results in a meticulously processed washed coffee that highlights Kenya’s hallmark clarity, structure, and vibrant fruit character.
This Karinga AA offering delivers a vibrant and expressive cup, showcasing the classic elegance of washed Kenyan coffees. Expect a bright, wine-like acidity reminiscent of Syrah, layered with the juicy sweetness of blackberry and a soft floral lift of lavender. The cup is structured yet silky, opening with bold fruit tones and finishing clean, aromatic, and refined. As it cools, the flavors deepen and become even more pronounced, offering a dynamic and memorable drinking experience.
In the Cup
The result? A vibrant, fruit-forward cup bursting with blackberry sweetness, wine-like acidity, and a delicate touch of lavender florals—a beautifully structured Kenyan coffee that’s both expressive and irresistibly clean.