Rungeto Kiangoi, Washed - Kenya

Grown in the fertile volcanic soils of Kenya’s Kirinyaga region, this exceptional washed AA coffee is a beautiful expression of the country's renowned coffee-growing heritage. Cultivated at elevations of 1,600–1,700 masl, Kiangoi delivers a vibrant yet beautifully balanced cup, with bittersweet marmalade and bright yuzu giving way to the comforting sweetness of toffee apple.

Kiangoi Coffee Factory works with 1,838 smallholder farmers, each cultivating plots of less than one hectare. Together, they grow a combination of SL28, SL34 and Ruiru 11 varieties. The celebrated SL varieties, developed in the 1930s and 1940s, are prized for their exceptional cup quality and deep root systems, while Ruiru 11 was developed for improved disease resistance.

Smallholder farming is at the heart of Kenya’s coffee industry, with cooperative societies playing an essential role in processing, quality control and connecting producers to market. Kiangoi reflects this collaborative approach, bringing together the harvests of hundreds of farming families to produce coffees of remarkable consistency and character.

Processing begins with the careful handpicking of ripe cherries, which are delivered to the factory for visual sorting and flotation to remove lower-density fruit. The selected cherries are pulped and fermented for 12–16 hours before being thoroughly washed and soaked for a further 24 hours. The parchment is then slowly dried on raised beds over 10–14 days, with regular turning and protection from the intense midday sun and overnight moisture.

The result is a wonderfully versatile coffee that showcases the brightness, clarity and sweetness for which Kenyan coffees are celebrated. As espresso, expect a syrupy body, balanced sweetness and a lively citrus finish. Brewed as filter, its vibrant marmalade and yuzu notes take centre stage, complemented by a clean, lingering toffee apple sweetness.

• Region: Kirinyaga
• Country: Kenya
• Elevation: 1,600 -1,700 masl
• Variety: Ruiru 11, SL28, SL34
• Process: Washed