Kenya – A Distinctive Coffee

Kenya, an East African nation, produces over 2 million bags of coffee a year and it ranks number 17 in production world wide. Most of its Arabica coffee is grown on tiny farms, averaging half an acre in size, north of Nairobi and on the slopes of  Mt. Kenya. The farmers are organized into small, craft-oriented, cooperative processing centers which are spread out across the country-side. Each day’s harvest is processed separately into small lots of finished green coffee beans. They are sold individually at auction in Nairobi. Unique, unblended lots are purchased by small, high quality buyers who are willing to pay the price.

The Coffee Board of Kenya established guidelines for standards on the coffee beans, After the coffee is milled, it is graded. Kenya AA means the largest, high-density beans; while grade AB is slightly smaller beans. The theory is that the larger beans contain more of the special oils which give coffee its flavor and aroma. AB can also be of high quality but experts say, over the long run, that Kenya AA produces a better coffee.

Kenya coffee that is Fair Trade Certified has been raised by farmers in cooperatives, such as the newly certified Rumukia Farmers Cooperative Society. This organization has started ‘field days’ to train its members in the best agricultural practices and it offers credit services for medical emergencies and education. It is working to upgrade the drying tables for the coffee beans and to improve roads within the area to enable farmers to get their coffee to the mills efficiently.

Now, some premium Kenya beans are marketed with the name of their region of origin. There are currently three identified brands, Mt. Kenya and Aberdares, from the region north of Nairobi, and Kenyan Blue Mountain, which came from Jamaica and is grown near the Uganda border. Starbucks introduced its ‘Black Apron Kirinyaga Kenya’, which was grown by small farmers and processed through a cooperative venture of six mills.

Political unrest and instability has disrupted the auction market system, making it more difficult for Kenya coffee to reach the world market. When you do see Kenya in the grocery or coffee specialty shop, grab a bag or two as you’ll enjoy its delicious, full-bodied flavor!   You can find Green Mountain Kenya coffee at many fine retailers.