Kenya Nery Aa
Farm: Thiriku Coffee Growers Cooperative Society
Type: SL28, SL34 & some Ruiru 11 (<1%)
Processing: Wet processed & sun dried on raised beds
Altitude: 1890 meters above sea level
Owner: Various smallholder farmers
City: Thiriku
Region: Nyeri County, Central Kenya
Country: Kenya
Coffee in Kenya is produced by small-scale farmers. All of these farmers are members of the Thiriku Coffee Growers Cooperative Society. The Thiriku Coffee Growers Cooperative Society is located in Nyeri County in central Kenya, between the foothills of Mount Kenya and the White Mountains.
Each company owns one coffee processing plant serving six communities. The plant's high altitude provides a dry, low-temperature environment that promotes slow ripening and drying of the coffee cherries, resulting in a superior flavor (1900 meters). Farmers personally select the best cherries, those with high ripeness and a deep red color. They then deliver these to the company or drop them off at one of four designated collection points, where they are exported the same day. Before processing, the cherries are stored, with damaged or unripe beans removed. This process is monitored by cherries supervisors who maintain records for sales. After processing, the coffee is placed in a demucilager, replacing the traditional method of washing with water. It is then rinsed with fresh, clean river water to remove all traces of husks. Finally, it is placed on trays to dry for nine to fifteen days. During the drying process, the trays are turned periodically to check for damaged beans.
