KENYA GICHERORI 250g

19 EUR

Gicherori Coffee Factory is located in Embu County, on the slopes of Mount Kenya in the Manyatta division. Sitting at 1,600–1,800 masl on fertile volcanic soils, the factory benefits from nearly 2,000 mm of rainfall annually and an ideal climate for producing high-quality coffees. Known for its complex and classic Kenyan cup profile, Gicherori is a standout option from an emerging coffee region. Origin: Gicherori Factory, Kibugu Farmers Cooperative Society This coffee comes from Gicherori Factory, part of the Kibugu Farmers Cooperative Society, which was founded in 1994 and today counts over 1,200 active members. The cooperative is composed of smallholders in the Kibugu location of Embu County, where coffee production plays an important role in both livelihoods and community identity. The factory is currently managed by John Mbogo. To safeguard local water supplies, the factory treats wastewater in soak pits to prevent contamination of natural drinking sources. The community also prioritizes protecting indigenous trees to sustain local birdlife and biodiversity. Farmers affiliated with Gicherori follow agronomic best practices guided by the Coffee Research Station. They receive training and field visits from the Ministry of Agriculture, covering planting, pruning, spraying, mulching, and fertilizer application. Compliance is supervised by a field committee that monitors farms, ensuring coffee is not intercropped with maize or beans, though intercropping with macadamia is permitted. Farmers are also encouraged to rehabilitate abandoned coffee trees, especially given improved prices and demand for high-quality Kenyan coffee. Harvest & Post-Harvest The area experiences reliable rainfall, cool mountain climate, and rich volcanic soils that nurture the SL 28 and SL 34 varieties predominantly grown by smallholders, though other cultivars such as K7, Ruiru 11, and Batian are also present. Each lot is made up of cherries delivered by hundreds of smallholders with farms ranging between 100–1,000 trees. After picking, cherries are hand-sorted before being pulped at the factory. Coffees are traditionally dry fermented before being washed with clean stored water and graded in channels. Drying takes place on raised African beds, which allow for even airflow and careful hand-turning. Once dried to 11–13% moisture content, the coffee is delivered to the Central Kenya Coffee Mill in Nyeri for grading and sorting. Impact Gicherori Factory emphasizes sustainable farming and environmental protection. Wastewater is filtered back into the soil through soak pits, while members are encouraged to plant more trees to maintain a healthy ecosystem. The cooperative also invests in farmer training, seminars, and educational support, with a demonstration plot maintained as a learning resource. These efforts aim to increase coffee production, improve quality, and ensure long-term sustainability for future generations.

Origin

Kenya Embu County

Process

washed

Varietal

SL 28, SL 34

Altitude

1700 m