Gicherori AA Washed

A classic Kenyan cup: sweet and round. Aromas of cola and plum transition into notes of brown sugar, cranberry, and a touch of chamomile in the brewed cup. Plum sweetness and lime acidity give way to a finish of caramel with a hint of rye bread.

Details

Producer: Gicherori Coffee Factory Farm: Kibugu Farmers' Cooperative Society Region: Embu County Altitude: 1,650 masl | 5,413 feet Varietal: SL28, Ruiru 11, Batian Process: Washed Roast: Light-Medium Notes: Plum, Brown Sugar, Lime

The Story

Gicherori Factory sits on the slopes of Mount Kenya in the Manyatta division of Embu County. Rich volcanic soil, an annual rainfall of almost 2,000mm, and an abundance of SL 28 and SL 34 varieties help ensure quality coffee production in the area.

Kibugu Farmer’s Cooperative Society started in 1994. Current membership stands at 1,200, with the area around Gicherori densely populated with farmers who have planted 100 to 1,000 coffee trees.

After picking, members delivers the fresh coffee cherries to the mill, where they are depulped (the fruit skin and pulp removed mechanically), then fermented in large tanks and washed with stored clean water. The waste water is cleaned before being led back into nature, which is common at most mills.

After washing, the coffee is dried on typical African raised beds that allow good air circulation between the beans. Beans are dried to 11-13% moisture content and then brought to the Central Kenya Coffee Mill in Nyeri for grading, sorting, and export.

The Gicherori AA Washed, sourced from the Embu County region of Kenya, represents the meticulous standards maintained by the Gicherori Coffee Factory. This lot features the SL28 varietal, a plant selection historically celebrated for its distinct profile and resilience. By utilizing a washed process, the producers emphasize the inherent clarity and acidity of the bean, which manifests in the roaster’s notes of plum, brown sugar, and lime.

As a product of PT's Coffee Roasting, this coffee serves as a prime example of how regional terroir and careful post-harvest handling influence the final cup. While washed coffees are often prized for their clean, vibrant acidity, the specific interplay of these flavors can be further explored by referencing a flavor wheel. This selection highlights the consistent quality expected from high-elevation Kenyan production, offering a balanced experience that bridges bright citrus notes with a deep, sugar-toned sweetness.