Karinga, Washed Kenya

Details:

• Origin: Kenya — Kiambu County

• Producer: Several smallholder farmers delivering cherries to Karinga wet mill (Kibiru Farmers’ Cooperative)

• Varietals: SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11, Batian

• Process: Washed

• Elevation: ~1,900 m above sea level

• Harvest: December 2024

• Roast: Light — Filter

• Bag Size: 250 g

• Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant 🍇 • Rose hips 🌹 • Floral hints 🌼

Intro:

Tim Wendelboe is pleased to present Karinga, a classic Kenyan filter coffee that exemplifies the intense fruit character, vibrant acidity, and floral complexity Kenyan coffees are celebrated for. With its deep berry profile and elegant aromatic lift, this lot is a refined expression of washed Kenyan coffee at its best — perfect for filter brews that highlight clarity and nuance.

The Producer:

This coffee is sourced from smallholder farmers in Kiambu County, whose ripe cherries are delivered to the Karinga wet mill, operated by the Kibiru Farmers’ Cooperative Society. The region’s red volcanic soils and cool, high‑altitude climate foster slow cherry development, enhancing sugar concentration and flavour complexity. The cooperative’s commitment to careful cherry selection and processing ensures only high‑quality fruit enters this lot — bringing out the best of Kenyan varietals like SL28 and SL34 alongside Batian and Ruiru 11.

The Process:

Karinga’s washed process is a meticulous sequence designed to enhance clarity and structure. After hand‑sorting ripe cherries, they are depulped and fermented to remove mucilage. The beans are then washed in clean water and density‑graded before being dried on raised beds. Drying typically takes up to 14 days, allowing moisture to reduce evenly while preserving the coffee’s vibrant acidity and expressive fruit notes.

The Cup:

In the cup, Karinga delivers a rich, structured, and fruit‑forward profile. Blackcurrant 🍇 leads with sweet‑tart intensity, followed by the refined tartness of rose hips 🌹 that gives refreshing lift. Delicate floral hints 🌼 weave through each sip, adding aromatic elegance and depth. The brightness and balance make this coffee enlivening and deeply satisfying — a standout filter brew for lovers of expressive Kenyan character.

Overall:

Tim Wendelboe’s Karinga is a classic Kenyan washed coffee that showcases the clarity, acidity, and layered fruit complexity the origin is known for. With its bold berry notes, floral lift, and refined structure, this lot offers a memorable filter coffee experience that celebrates both terroir and meticulous processing.