Archival Release #41 - Kii AA

This month we have an archival selection from the 2022 harvest in Kirinyaga County in Kenya. This AA screen-size lot comes from coffees harvested at multiple family-owned farms that are located in close proximity to the Kii wet mill, or ‘factory’, as they are commonly referred to in Kenya. The Kii wet mill is one of three factories managed by the Rungeto Farmers’ Cooperative Society: a large collective organization in Kirinyaga County that counts approximately 1200 smallholder coffee farmers as active members. Kii’s two “sister factories” are also household names in Kenyan specialty coffee: Karimikui and Kiangoi.

Wet processing at Kii factory follows a fairly standard approach across Kenya: after the coffee has been pulped, it undergoes approximately 24 hours of fermentation before being thoroughly washed in clean water and soaked for 12 hours. Before the newly processed “parchment” is transferred to raised beds for drying (usually for a period of approximately 14 days), meticulous care is taken to remove as many defective seeds as possible (floaters), and to grade the coffee by density in washing channels. 

The 2022 harvest represented a return to form in Kenya after a number of challenging years working to source truly stellar Kenyan coffees. With that in mind, we’re excited to once again showcase the classic characteristics we found so enjoyable from the 2022 harvest year: Intense sweetness, mouth-watering acidity, and a complex array of fruit-driven flavors in the cup. We find aromatics of blackcurrant, grapefruit, and tropical fruit, leading to a cup profile with toffee-like sweetness and juicy flavors of gooseberry and peach.

The Archival Release #41 - Kii AA, sourced from the Kirinyaga County region of Kenya, represents a classic expression of the Rungeto Farmers’ Cooperative Society. This lot undergoes a washed process, a method typically employed to highlight the inherent acidity and clean, vibrant profiles often associated with high-quality Kenyan coffees.

In the cup, this selection presents a complex interplay of bright, citrus-forward acidity and deep, sugary undertones. The tasting notes of blackcurrant, grapefruit, and gooseberry align with the sharp, fruit-driven characteristics frequently found in the region, while the presence of peach and tropical fruit adds layers of nuance. A distinct toffee-like sweetness provides a balanced finish, grounding the more volatile fruit notes. For those looking to better understand these descriptors, referencing a flavor wheel can be a helpful tool for identifying the specific aromatic compounds that define this particular release.