2022 Advent Calender
Gachurio KenyaKafferäven
Specialty Coffee Advent Calendar – 2022
Dec 2
Gachurio AA
Taste Profile: aromatic, rhubarb, red currant, citrus
Origin: Karatina, Nyeri, Kenya
Producer: Kiama Farmers Cooperative Society
Variety: SL, Batian, Ruiru
Process: Fully Washed
Harvest date: January 2022
Altitude: 1700-1950 masl
Roasted by: Kafferäven
Gachuiro is one of a total of four washing stations belonging to the Kiama cooperative. Gachuiro is located a few kilometers from Karatina in Nyeri and has 480 members, fairly well divided between men and women. When we visited this station for the first time in February 2020, the swallows were flying in the fresh, cool air. Manager Ephraim and machine operator Leonard showed us how they work together with the rest of the workforce to ensure the quality of work and coffee is maintained.
The coffee berries are picked the same day they arrive at the washing station. There, they are sorted by hand before going through the pulper, where the skin and pulp are peeled off. The fermentation that takes place after takes 14-18 hours in water that is changed every 6 hours. After fermentation, the beans are washed and then rest in new clean water for 24 hours before drying on drying tables for 10-14 days.
As soon as I started hand grinding the beans, my kitchen filled with the aroma of rhubarb and red currant – I had to stop several times just to sniff beans in the grinder! I’m getting a scent of spices (anise?) and maybe a hint of tobacco from the cup. Very smooth, earthy taste that peaks and slightly lingers – another winner!
Perfect aroma of citrus, balance of acidity and sweetness
#PourOver #Kinu