Kenya Gathaithi: Sample Coffee Roasters

Kenya
Gathaithi

Gathaithi Factory is operated by more than 1,100 active members. We taste burnt toffee, orange, and cola

Washed process SL-28, SL-34, Ruiru 11, Batian

Flavour: burnt toffee, orange, cola

Body: Acidity:

Gathaithi Factory is operated by Gathaithi Farmers Cooperative Society, which has more than 1,100 active members, who farm on about 140 hectares of land in the area. The total production for the cooperative is around 102,000 kgs.

Formerly part of the Giant Tetu coffee farmers society, it is located within the Tetu district, Nyeri County. I60 km north of Nairobi, the factory is situated between Mt. Kenya and the Aberdare ranges, putting it in an ideal location for quality coffee production.

From funds set aside from the previous year’s harvest, members of the cooperative can access pre-financing for school fees, access to farm inputs and funds for emergency needs. The factory is receiving assistance from a field partner: Coffee Management Services (CMS).

Their long term goal is to increase coffee production through farmer training, ready access to inputs, Good Agricultural Practice seminars, and providing the most current printed materials on sustainable farming.

Sourcing and ingredients

100% SL-28, SL-34, Ruiru 11, and Batian coffee beans, provided by Cafe Imports and roasted by us on Gadigal land / Sydney.

Country grade: Unknown ?

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: 1,117 Members Of Gathaithi Farmer Cooperative Society
Country: Kenya
Region: Nyeri
Altitude: 1220-2300m above sea level
Varietals: SL-28, SL-34, Ruiru 11, and Batian
Process: Washed
Harvested: December 2021
Body: Medium
Acidity: Bright
Tasting notes: Burnt toffee, orange, cola
Roast style: Omni (filter + espresso)

Varietals

Batian varietal

Batian is the latest variety to be developed in Kenya, it is named after the peak of Mount Kenya

Ruiru 11 varietal

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

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 Nyeri region of Kenya

Central region home to Mount Kenya, an extinct volcano that produces rich, red soil. Most commonly smallholder cooperatives. Coffee trees in this region produce two crops (the main harvest producing the higher quality lots)

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.