Kenya - Gichuna Estate | Washed

This washed Kenyan from Gichuna Estate is for those who like a vibrant cup but don't want acidity that steals the show. The bright acidity and delicate floral character we find in grapefruits and blackberries is tempered by the richness of dried dates, creating a cup that is juicy, sweet, complex and clean. It reminds us of eating a sugar-crusted grilled grapefruit. 

Gichuna Estate is a family-run farm in Kiambu County, Central Kenya. The estate is operated by David Mburu Mwangi, who inherited the estate from his mother, Peninah Warura Mwangi. They cultivate 100% SL28, the varietal to which we owe our thanks for juicy, jammy Kenyan coffees. 

Since they are somewhat more disease resilient, SL varietals have come to replace the French Bourbon that traditionally populated the region. SL28 in particular was selected to address regional drought. However, these varietals require specific climates and high altitudes and continue to be susceptible to disease and pests. Low production and high cost of inputs cause many farmers to sell their land to real-estate developers who find the region more lucrative for their business. As a result, SL28 has become less widely cultivated in recent years, but farmers like the Mwangi family illustrate their tireless passion and dedication to sustaining Kenya’s reputation, and their family's legacy, for producing vibrant, complex coffees by persevering despite these hardships.