Kenya, Ichuga AA - Filter

Located near the town of Karatina in Kenya's renowned Nyeri County, Ichuga Factory is operated by the Kiama Farmers' Cooperative Society, bringing together hundreds of smallholder producers who share a commitment to quality. By centralising processing, the cooperative ensures every delivery of cherry is handled with the same meticulous care, allowing even the smallest farms to consistently produce exceptional coffees.

Once harvested, ripe cherries are carefully sorted before being pulped, fermented and thoroughly washed under close supervision. The parchment coffee is then dried slowly on raised beds, where it is turned regularly and protected from the intense midday sun to ensure even moisture loss and preserve cup quality. After drying, the coffee is transferred to the dry mill for grading and final preparation.

This disciplined, cooperative approach is a hallmark of Kenya's coffee industry, combining generations of processing expertise with rigorous quality control to produce coffees of remarkable clarity and consistency.

In the cup, Ichuga is a classic expression of Nyeri terroir. Expect crisp green apple, delicate rosehip florals and caramel sweetness, supported by vibrant acidity, a silky mouthfeel and a clean, lingering finish. It is an elegant, beautifully structured coffee that showcases why Kenyan washed coffees remain among the most admired in the world.

• Region: Nyeri
• Country: Kenya
• Elevation: 1,700 masl
• Variety: Ruiru 11, SL28, SL34, Batian
• Process: Washed