Ngandu AA

About farmer and farm:

Ngandu Factory lies within Kenya’s famed Nyeri region, where rich volcanic soil and ideal weather conditions contribute to the exceptional and unique flavor profile that Kenya is famed for. This AA fully washed lot epitomizes all that we love about coffees from the region.

The factory itself has 800 registered farmers, with 680 actively delivering cherry during the harvest season.

Ngandu is one of five wet mills operated by the cooperative.

Producer members in Ngandu Factory cultivate primarily SL28, SL34, Batian and Ruiru 11.

Process: washed (fully washed)

Coffee cherries are carefully handpicked at peak ripeness by smallholder farmers and delivered to the factory for processing.

The cherries are first sorted, then pulped to remove the outer skin. Parchment is then fermented in concrete tanks for 12 to 24 hours, depending on temperature and climate conditions, to break down the mucilage. After fermentation, parchment is washed through grading channels using fresh water before being transferred to raised beds or covered solar driers for drying.

The drying process lasts 7 to 14 days, with workers frequently turning the parchment and covering it during the hottest part of the day to ensure even drying and prevent defects.