Kenya — Riakiberu Coffee Factory, Peaberry (Washed)

Tastes Like — 🍊 Orange Marmalade • 🍑 Nectarine • ⚡ Vibrant

DETAILS

• Producer: Riakiberu Coffee Factory / Kamacharia Farmers Cooperative Society
• Washing Station: Riakiberu Coffee Factory
• Region: Murang'a County, Kenya
• Varietal: Ruiru 11, SL28, Batian
• Process: Washed
• Altitude: 1,650 MASL
• Size: 250g

INTRO

This is Prolog's second lot from Riakiberu, following their well-loved AA selection — and the Peaberry is a natural next step. Peaberry is a mutation where only a single rounded bean develops inside a cherry rather than the usual two flat-sided seeds. Occurring in roughly 5% of the total crop, these denser beans are often said to produce a more concentrated and impactful flavour profile. Grown at around 1,650 metres above sea level in rich volcanic soils and a cool highland climate, Riakiberu's Peaberry expresses the classic bright, structured Kenyan cup with notes of orange marmalade and nectarine.

THE PRODUCER

Established in 1994, the Riakiberu Coffee Factory is affiliated with the Kamacharia Farmers Cooperative Society, bringing together approximately 700 smallholder farmers from Murang'a County. The factory is located at 1,650 metres in an area of fertile red volcanic soils, consistent rainfall, and cool highland temperatures — ideal growing conditions for Kenya's signature bright, structured coffees.

The cooperative is thoughtfully managed, overseeing everything from grading and farmer payments to agricultural training and quality control. The primary varieties grown are Ruiru 11, SL28, and Batian — all well-suited to the region's conditions and capable of delivering the intense fruit character Kenya is celebrated for.

THE PROCESS

The Washed process at Riakiberu involves:

• 🍒 Selective Harvest — Only fully ripe cherries hand-picked
• ✅ Sorting & Flotation — Cherries sorted and floated to remove underripe fruit
• 🔧 Depulping — Mechanical removal of the cherry skin
• 🧪 Fermentation — Beans fermented in clean water
• 💧 Washing & Density Sorting — Fully washed and graded by density to separate highest-quality beans
• ☀️ Drying — Dried on raised beds
• ✅ Peaberry Separation — Peaberry beans separated after hulling and resting

The peaberry separation concentrates the inherent brightness and vibrancy of this lot, delivering a cup that is vivid, structured, and deeply satisfying.

THE CUP

Bright and vibrant, with unmistakable Kenyan energy. Orange marmalade sweetness and brightness come first, followed by a juicy nectarine fruitiness and a clean, well-structured finish. The peaberry concentration adds an extra dimension of precision and intensity that makes this a genuinely exciting cup.

Flavour Notes

• 🍊 Orange Marmalade
• 🍑 Nectarine