Tasting Notes: Savory, Yuzu, Red Current, Citrus Sweet
Variety:Batian, Ruiru 11, SL28, 34
Process: Washed
Gathaithi Coffee Factory, established in 1967, is part of the Gathaithi Farmers’ Cooperative Society in Nyeri County, Kenya. The factory serves 1,656 smallholder members, each farming and average of one half-acre with about 120 coffee trees. Coffee grows at elevations of 1700masl and up in red volcanic soils, and the main varieties produced are SL28 and SL34 (about 95%), with small amounts of Ruiru 11 and Batian. Cherries are hand‑picked and delivered to washing station the same day for wet processing. They are sorted, pulped, fermented overnight, washed, soaked, and then dried on raised beds for 7–15 days depending on weather. Staff continually sort and turn parchment during drying. The factory produces around 60 tonnes of clean coffee annually, with potential to double output. Gathaithi holds multiple environmental certifications and encourages sustainable practices such as tree planting and improved wastewater handling.
