Kenya Murang'a AA Kahuhia Washed *TOP LOT*

This is a washed Kenya AA Top lot from Kahuhia wetmill in Murang'a county. Kahuhia is one of 4 wetmills - or 'factories' - operated by Kahuhia farmers' co-operative society. The co-op has 2,995 members, of which 510 actively work with Kahuhia factory and contribute to this lot. The farmers occupy land on the south-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya and western slopes of the Abedare range, at altitudes of 1,200 - 1,800masl. Varietals cultivated include SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11 and Batian.

THE PROCESS

This coffee utilises a traditional fully washed process using fresh water from the river Gathamba. Cherries are delivered to the wetmill where they undergo carful sorting to select only ripest for processing. Red ripe cherries are de-pulped and then fermented in water for 12-48 hours (depending on climatic conditions). The purpose of fermentation is two-fold: firstly to breakdown the remaining sugary mucilage, and secondly to develop more complexity in the cup. From here the coffee is washed & graded in clean water channels and then dried slowly in the sun on raised African beds for around 3 weeks.

THE REGION
Murang'a County has cool temperatures and fertile central highlands, lying between the Eastern base of the Aberdare (Nyandarua) Range, which forms part of the Eastern end of the Great Rift Valley, and the South-Western slopes of Mt. Kenya. The combination of fertile volcanic soil, seasonal rainfall and high altitude provide the ideal climate for coffees characterised by high acidity, full body and ripe fruit flavours.