The Process

Farmers delivering to Kaganda washing station cultivate SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11 and Batian in small coffee gardens that are, on average, smaller than 1 hectare. ‘SL’ varieties are cultivars originally released by Scott Agricultural Laboratories (SAL) in the 1930s and 1940s. They soon became the go-to trees for many growers in Kenya due to their deep root structure, which allows them to maximise scarce water resources and flourish even without irrigation. They are cultivated with a serious eye towards sustainability and Good Agricultural Practices, with minimal environmental impact where possible. Batian is a relatively new variety introduced by the Kenya Coffee Research Institute (CRI) in 2010. Batian is named after the highest peak on Mt. Kenya and is resistant to both CBD and CLR. The variety has the added benefit of early maturity – cropping after only two years. Similar to Batian, Ruiru 11 is a new variety known for its disease resistance and high yields. It also starts yielding fruit after just 2 years.

Farmers handpick only ripe, red cherries, ensuring that the best quality fruit is delivered to Kaganda Factory. Upon delivery, the cherries are pulped and then fermented for 12 to 16 hours. After fermentation, the beans are soaked for an additional 12 to 24 hours to enhance their acidity and body. The coffee is then dried on raised beds for 7 to 14 days, with frequent raking to ensure even drying and optimal moisture content.