Kenya Rungeto AA Espresso

Tasting notes: Lime, nectarine, honey, blackcurrant.

Coffee breakdown:
Origin: Kirinyaga, Kenya
Variety: SL28, SL34
Process: Washed
Altitude: 1800 m

This lot comes from Kii Factory, one of three washing stations managed by the respected Rungeto Farmers’ Cooperative Society. Formed in 1997 after the dissolution of the Ngiriama Co-op, Rungeto brought together the Kii, Kiangoi, and Karimikui factories—each committed to elevating Kenyan coffee through meticulous processing and farmer support.

Rungeto is a smaller society by Kenyan standards, working with around 1,150 smallholder farmers. Of these, roughly 850 supply Kii Factory directly, delivering only the ripest cherries for same-day processing. The station employs flotation to sort fruit, then uses a disc pulper to remove skin and mucilage. After pulping, the coffee is separated into five grades, soaked in fresh stream water to stabilise flavour, and then dried on raised beds over 8–14 days for optimal clarity and complexity.

Rungeto’s processing is precise and thoughtful—designed to highlight the terroir of Kirinyaga. But what truly sets this co-op apart is its commitment to community and sustainability. Processing water is recycled, discarded cherry pulp is turned into fertiliser, and Fairtrade premiums are reinvested into community infrastructure. The society also runs a dairy program that supplies over 120,000 litres of milk per month to one of Kenya’s largest dairies, diversifying income for members.

This year’s lot from Kii stood out on the cupping table with its layered acidity, syrupy body and long, clean finish. It’s a classic Kenyan profile, delivered with precision—and simply delicious.