Kenya

Kamagogo - Kenya

250g

Cup Notes
Concord grape / Honey / Green apple / Lime / Almond 

Suggested for espresso and filter

QUALITY SCORE: 88.75


when we roast

We freshly roast to order all coffees on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (excluding national holidays), and ship the same day! Cut-off time is 11:59pm (UTC+1) of the day before the roast day. *We only ship whole beans*

Details

Producer
Several small farmers
Country
Kenya
Terroir
Muranga
Altitude
1800-1900 mt
Arabica cultivar
SL28 & SL34
Picked in
December 2016
Arrived in
July 2017
Shipped in
Box + Vacuum pack
Roast profile by
Rubens Gardelli
Roasted on
Customised solid-drum roaster

THE STORY BEHIND

Kamagogo Coffee Factory is located in Muranga County, Kiru location of Mathioya Division near Kiriaini town. It was established in 1986 and rests on a 9 acre piece of land serving Mathioya, Umbui and Kagioini villages. Currently it is affiliated to Kiru Farmers Co-operative Society. Its membership stands at 860, of which 790 are active farmers while 70 are inactive farmers. The most unique aspect of this factory is that it’s located within traditional tea growing zones. Kamagogo Coffee factory is run by Stephen Ihugo - the factory manager - along with five permanent members of staff. The area experiences a biannual production cycle with the early harvest being from March-May and the late second season being from October-December.

The factory is receiving assistance from Coffee Management Services (CMS) with the long term goal of increasing coffee production through farmer training, input access, Good Agricultural Practice seminars, and a sustainable farming handbook updated and distributed annually. They are striving to establish a transparent, trust based relationship farmers, helping to support a sustained industry growth in Kenya, whilst bringing premium quality coffees roasters, and premium prices to the farmers.

Through the pre-financing they receive, farmers are given advances for school fees and farm inputs. The factory manager is re-trained every year by CMS, in addition to field days being held by the minister of agriculture and agrochemical companies that deliver inputs to the farmers. Demonstration plots are planted at the factory to reinforce the best practices taught throughout the year.

THE VARIETY

SL28 was bred by Scott Laboratories in 1931 from Tanganyika D.R, and has become very popular throughout Kenya and is recognised as a variety of exceptional cup quality. It has wide leaves with coppery tips. Beans are wide and productivity comparatively low. Though it is not substantiated that we can find, some sources claim that Scott Labs crossed mutations of French Mission, Mocha and Yemen Typica to produce the SL 28 variety. No matter the exact genetic composition, almost certainly their original goal was to create a plant with high quality, reasonable productivity and great drought resistance.

SL 34 is a mutation of French Mission, originating from the plantation of Loresho in Kabete, SL 34 has wide leaves with bronzy tips. It is widely grown throughout Kenya. SL 34 is valued for its high productivity in different climate conditions and great height ranges. It is also claimed to be resistant towards draught and strong rainfall.

THE FERMENTATION PROCESS

After harvesting the coffee is delivered to the factory and undergoes the wet processing method, water is pumped to the reservoir tanks for pulping and recirculation.  After pulping the coffee is stored overnight, washed, soaked and spread on the drying on tables.  The parchment is then frequently turned on the drying tables, sorted and then stored whilst it awaits delivery to the millers.