Kenya Kamwangi Ab: Sample Coffee Roasters

Kenya
Kamwangi
Ab

We find flavours of ribena, blood orange, plum skin

Body Acidity

It’s exciting to be sharing another Kenyan origin this week – the second from the harvest which arrived last month.

Kamwangi is one of two factories run by New Ngariama Cooperative Society in the county. Kirinyaga is located on the slopes of Mount Kenya, and is world renowned for its amazing coffees and the delicious flavour profiles we look forward to each year.

The Kamwangi factory was established in 1983 and its 800 member farmers grow SL28 and SL34 varietals alongside Ruiru 11 – a typical mix for a high quality coffee from Kenya.

Farms near Mount Kenya are blessed with red-volcanic soils, which give it all the mineral and organic nutrients required for optimum coffee production. Together with the cool temperatures provided by the relatively high elevation (1600-1800m above sea level) Kirinyaga’s got a big head-start on what it takes to produce delicious coffee.

In addition to coffee, common crops grown are banana and maize. Grevillea or macadamia trees are also planted to provide shade to the growing coffee trees.

Kamwangi Coffee factory is run Edwin Gichuki, the factory manager. As well as running the factory, his team together with Coffee Management Services, helps farmers by offering farm supplies on credit and pre-financing for school fees, supplies, and emergencies.

Sourcing and ingredients

100% SL28, SL34, and Ruiru 11 coffee beans, provided by Condesa Co.Lab and roasted by us on Gadigal land / Sydney.

Country grade: AB (Kenya) ?

Packaging

Bag: ABA Certified home compostable
Label: Recyclable
Valve (on bags larger than 250g): General waste
Coffee ordered online is shipped in a recyclable cardboard box

Brewing this coffee

We recommend brewing this coffee 15–49 days post-roast. If pre-ground, brew as soon as possible. Our advice on storing coffee.

1:3
dose:yield
ratio

To brew on espresso, we recommend using 20g of beans (dose) to get 60g of espresso out (yield), during 24-28 seconds.

g dose

g yield

View the how to brew espresso (single origin) guide.

1:16.7
beans:water
ratio

To brew in infusion/fed brewers (V60, Chemex) use a ratio of 1:16.7 ratio of beans:water.

g beans

g water

View full recipes and videos in our brewguides

1:14.3
beans:water
ratio

To brew in immersion brewers (plunger, AeroPress, Kalita, batch brewer) we recommend using a 1:14.3 ratio of beans:water

g beans

g water

View full recipes and videos in our brewguides

1:12
beans:water
ratio

To brew as cold brew we recommend using a 1:12 ratio of beans:water

g beans

g water

View full recipes and videos in our brewguides

Producer: New Ngariama Cooperative Society
Country: Kenya
Region: Kirinyaga
Altitude: 1600-1800m above sea level
Varietals: SL28, SL34, and Ruiru 11
Process: Washed
Harvested: December 2017
Body: Medium
Acidity: Vibrant
Tasting notes: Ribena, blood orange, plum skin
Roast style: Omni

Varietals

Ruiru 11 varietal

Released in 1985, Ruiru 11 is a disease resistant varietal developed in Kenya

SL28 varietal

SL28 was developed in 1931 by Scott Laboratories to suit the growing conditions in Kenya. The varietal is known for its exceptional cup quality

SL34 varietal

Developed by Scott Laboratories in Kenya, the SL34 varietal was designed to be high yielding with good cup quality.

The location

Coffee from Kenya

Alongside Ethiopia and Colombia, Kenya is one of the origins we get most excited about at the roastery. It exports some of the most vibrant, bright, and unique coffees in the world.

The Kirinyaga region of Kenya

This region is located east of Nyeri, and has similarly rich volcanic soils and a high percentage of smallholder producers.

Farm processes

Washed process

Machines are used to remove the flesh from the coffee cherry before being fermented in water, washed again, and finally sun dried. This process tends to result in more distinct, cleaner flavours.