Kenya Gaikundo

Gaikundo is a perfumed, intense cup laden with ripe fruits: peaches, apricots and raspberries. As the cup cools notes of pineapple upside down cake, brown sugar and caramel appear, with a crisp, clean acidity.

 

 

Coffee Details 

 

 This AB lot was produced by around 1,200 smallholder farmers, all of whom are members of the Gaikundo Farmers Co-Operative Society. The Gaikundo factory is located at the base of Mt. Kenya, with amazing views on a clear day, perfect soil and microclimate for high quality production and valuable access to the famous Rupingazi River for water. The river was formed when Mt. Kenya was still an active volcano and is characterized by hard deep black volcanic rock and cool clean water flowing from Mt. Kenya.

 

The Gaikundo factory has taken many steps to ensure that only the ripest, top-quality coffee cherries are processed. All cherries are hand-picked and delivered to the mill the same day, where they undergo meticulous sorting. Factory employees oversee the process and any underripe or damaged cherries will not be accepted by the ‘Cherry Clerk’ – one of the most important harvest-period staff, who keeps meticulous records of how much coffee each producer delivers on any given day (and thus how much payment is due once the coffee has sold). By incentivizing producers to improve their quality, this in turn improves the premiums the producers can be paid, and ultimately has a positive impact on their quality of life. 

Brew Recipes

Sourced from the Mt. Kenya region, the Kenya Gaikundo is a standout offering from the Case Coffee Roasters selection. Produced by the Gaikundo Farmers Co-Operative Society, this coffee reflects the high-quality standards often associated with the unique terroir of the Kenyan highlands. When evaluating such vibrant profiles, it is helpful to consult the flavor wheel to better categorize the complex interplay of stone fruit and dessert-like sweetness present in the cup.

The roaster identifies distinct notes of peaches, apricots, and raspberries, balanced by the richer, indulgent qualities of pineapple upside-down cake, brown sugar, and caramel. While Kenyan coffees are frequently celebrated for their bright acidity and intense fruit-forward characteristics, this specific lot highlights a sophisticated depth. By focusing on the meticulous processing methods employed by the Gaikundo Farmers Co-Operative Society, this coffee provides a clear window into the diverse and expressive potential of the region.