KENYA Specialty Coffee - NANDI HILLS - Washed

Kenya - Nandi Hills

Farmers who supply Kapkiyai grow SL28, SL34, Batian and Ruiru11 in small coffee gardens that average around 200 trees. The ‘SL’ varieties are cultivars originally released by Scott Agricultural Laboratories (SAL) in the 1930s and 1940s. They quickly became the trees of choice for many growers in Kenya due to their deep root structure, which allows them to maximise scarce water resources and flourish even without irrigation. They are grown with a serious eye on sustainability and Good Agricultural Practices, with minimal environmental impact wherever possible.

Member farmers hand-select ripe, red cherries and deliver them to the cooperative’s washing station. At the reception desk, a cherry worker supervises the delivery and ensures cherry quality. The cherries are hand-selected, floated and weighed, and the accepted cherries are pulped. The coffee is then fermented and the parchment is washed in clean water before being placed on raised beds to dry. Workers frequently turn the parchment over to ensure even drying, which takes approximately 14 days.

Founded in 2000, Kapkiyai Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd started with just 12 members seeking better prices for their coffee. The cooperative’s membership has grown to a registered total of 1,007 members, with 824 actively participating. Of these, 346 are women (up from 324) and 271 are youth (up from 119).

The Farmers’ Cooperative Society (SCF) has been making efforts to reach out to more young farmers, which has further advanced the project. The cooperative also manages a nursery with several shade tree seedlings and coffee tree varieties.

Kapkiyai is one of the selected producer organisations benefiting from the Trace Kenya Initiative* agronomic capacity building programme, managed by Solidaridad Network, which helps farmers adopt climate-smart practices, agroforestry, intercropping and organic farming. The programme is implemented in the Western Region of Kenya (Kericho, Nandi and Bungoma counties), focusing on women and youth participation in coffee.

Kapkiyai previously worked with Techoserve and other partners to develop a “Women in Coffee” program, focusing on initiatives such as gender inclusion. This led to increased production, women’s empowerment, and increased participation of family members in coffee farm activities. The Women in Coffee program continues with 346 participants.

Origin:- Kenya
Region:- Nandi Hilss
Producer:- Various smallholders of Kapkiyai Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd
Variety:- SL-28, SL-34, Batian, Ruiru
Altitude:- 1880m
Processing Method:- Washed
Harvests:- May-July

Preparation Suggestion (Brewing)

The Cup:- Vibrant, fruity profile with notes of cranberry and crisp apple, balanced by rich dark chocolate and a smooth caramel sweetness.