ROCKET SUMMER - Kenya

Kenya + Tinganga, Kiambu County Varietal: Batian, Ruiru 11, SL28, SL34 Process: Washed Altitude: 1830masl

Black Currant, Demerara, Black Tea

The Sasini Estate AB Lot is a high quality coffee grown at 1,830 metres above sea level on the 260 hectare Tinganga Farm in Kiambu County, Kenya. Owned by Sasini PLC, which has grown coffee in the Kenyan Highlands since 1952, the estate utilises rich, deep red volcanic soil to cultivate Batian, Ruiru 11, SL28, and SL34 varieties. Harvested between October and December by some of the farm's 300 employees, the ripe cherries are fully washed, fermented for 12 to 16 hours, and sun dried on raised beds for 2 to 3 weeks before undergoing on site quality cupping. Managed with a focus on sustainability, the farm employs eco friendly practices such as reusing pulping water, planting shade trees, and turning decomposed coffee pulp into organic fertiliser.

Produced by Sasini PLC in the Kiambu County region of Kenya, ROCKET SUMMER is a washed-process offering from Dark Arts Coffee. This lot features the Batian varietal, a cultivar developed to combine the disease resistance of older types with the high-quality cup profiles associated with traditional Kenyan coffee. Because this coffee undergoes a washed process, the focus remains on the inherent acidity and clarity of the bean, which often highlights the bright, crisp characteristics typical of the region.

When evaluating the profile of black currant, demerara, and black tea, it is helpful to consult the flavor wheel to better understand how these specific descriptors relate to broader sensory categories. While washed coffees are generally celebrated for their clean, vibrant profiles, the specific terroir of Kiambu County often contributes to the distinct, tea-like elegance found in this particular selection.