Archival Release #60 - Gathaithi 2022

As we eagerly await the arrival of fresh crop Kenyan coffees, this Archival Release looks back one of our favorite Kenyan selections from the 2022 harvest: Gathaithi.

Located in the center of Kenya’s central highlands, between the Mt. Kenya and Aberdare mountain ranges, the Gathaithi FCS represents around 1500 farmers and produces vibrant coffees that capture the complexity, sweetness, and vibrancy of the Nyeri profile. A blend of SL, Ruiru 11, and batian varieties, we taste deep browning sugar sweetness and cranberry-like acidity, followed by additional flavors of tropical fruit, rhubarb, and hibiscus that emerge as the coffee cools.

The Archival Release #60 - Gathaithi 2022 represents a distinct offering from Passenger Coffee, sourced from the Gathaithi FCS in the Nyeri region of Kenya. Coffees from this renowned area are frequently celebrated for their vibrant acidity and complex, layered profiles. When evaluating such profiles, tasters often reference the flavor wheel to identify the interplay between bright, tart elements and deeper, caramelized sweetness.

This specific lot presents a profile characterized by browning sugar, cranberry, tropical fruit, rhubarb, and hibiscus. While Kenyan coffees are often processed using the traditional double-fermentation method—which typically emphasizes a crisp, wine-like acidity—the resulting cup can vary significantly based on the specific harvest conditions and local processing techniques. This release offers a focused look at the Gathaithi cooperative’s output from the 2022 harvest, providing a snapshot of the region's potential for balancing intense fruit-forward notes with a structured, sugar-toned finish.