Kenya - Gicherori AA

Founded in 1994 in Kibugu, Embu County, Kenya, Gicherori Coop is part of the Kibugu Farmers Cooperative Society and supports approximately 1,200 smallholder farmers. Situated at elevations of 1,600–1,800 meters in fertile volcanic soils, the farmers cultivate SL 28 and SL 34 coffee varieties. The coop employs a meticulous fully washed and sun-dried process, with harvests occurring twice a year—from October to December and from April to July. Dedicated to quality and sustainability, Gicherori maintains traditional washing techniques, treats all processing water to safeguard local waterways, and protects indigenous trees to promote biodiversity.

When cherries arrive at the Co Op, they are spread out for sorting, with underripe and overripe fruit carefully removed. The selected cherries are pulped, graded by density, and fermented overnight before being thoroughly washed. Using traditional hand-sorting in tiled channels, the highest-quality beans are separated. These beans are then sun-dried on raised beds under close supervision until they reach a moisture content of 10–12%. This careful handling preserves the beans’ natural sweetness and accentuates the bright acidity, producing a clean, complex cup with notes of gooseberry jam, blackcurrant, and earl grey tea.

Sourced from the Gicherori Cooperative in Kenya’s Embu County, this Kenya - Gicherori AA offering showcases the distinct profile of the SL 28 varietal. Cultivated at elevations between 1600 and 1800 masl, the cherries undergo a washed process, a method often employed to highlight the inherent acidity and clean, vibrant clarity characteristic of high-quality Kenyan lots. Roasted by Clifton Coffee Roasters, the cup presents a complex interplay of gooseberry jam, blackcurrant, and Earl Grey tea.

While individual lots vary, washed coffees from this region are frequently celebrated for their bright, wine-like acidity and structured mouthfeel. To better understand how these specific descriptors align with broader sensory categories, you may wish to consult our flavor wheel. This selection serves as a quintessential example of the meticulous processing standards maintained by the Gicherori Coop, resulting in a refined and expressive cup that remains a staple for enthusiasts of the region.