"Aromas of blackcurrant, dried cranberry, and bright citrus emerge upon grinding. On the palate, cranberry juice and grapefruit bring vibrancy, balanced by blackcurrant richness, hibiscus tea, and a touch of orange peel. The cup finishes smooth and layered."

The Gachatha Washing Station is located in the bustling town of Gatunda and is owned by the Gachatha Farmers Co-operative Society (FCS). The society has around 1,100 registered members, with about 900 actively farming, most of them being smallholders with an average of 200 coffee trees per household. Formerly part of the larger Tetu FCS, the Gachatha station became independent about a decade ago and has since been operating successfully on its own.

In Kenya, co-operative societies like Gachatha FCS play a vital role in the coffee industry by providing structure, resources, and market access for smallholder farmers. The farmers contributing to this washing station mainly come from the Aberdare mountain range, where elevations range from 1,800 to 2,100 meters above sea level. The high altitude, fertile volcanic soil, and favorable climate conditions combine to create an ideal environment for producing coffees of exceptional quality and complexity.

The coffee here is processed using the traditional Kenyan washed method. Ripe cherries are delivered by farmers to the factory, where they are carefully hand-sorted, and farmers are rewarded with a premium for bringing only ripe fruit. After pulping to remove the skin, the beans undergo overnight fermentation, which helps break down the sugars and enhance clarity in the cup.

Following fermentation, the beans are thoroughly washed and soaked before being spread out on African raised beds to dry. The drying process typically takes around 15 days, during which the coffee is regularly turned to ensure even moisture reduction and consistent quality.

Variety : SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11
Altitude : 1800 masl
Process : Kenyan Washed
Origin : Gatunda, Nyeri