Gachatha AA was Peregrine’s first Kenyan coffee, sourced through partners at Mercon Specialty. The coffee comes from the Gachatha Coffee Factory, founded in 1963, which supports about 1,500 smallholder farmers from the villages of Muthuaini, Thiriku, Gachenge, and Kianjau in Nyeri County.
The factory itself sits on 392 acres along the slopes of the Aberdare Mountain Range, about 150 km north of Nairobi. The region’s deep, fertile volcanic soil, combined with elevations between 1,800–2,100 meters, creates an environment ideally suited for producing the complex flavors for which Kenyan coffees are world-renowned.
Farmers in this area cultivate SL28, SL34, and Ruiru 11 varieties. Ripe red cherries are handpicked and delivered to the factory, where they undergo careful washed processing. The cherries are pulped and floated to remove defects, then fermented overnight to break down mucilage. Finally, the beans are dried on raised beds for 7–15 days, with regular sorting and turning to ensure even drying and quality.
This lot is classified as AA, a Kenyan grading designation that refers to bean size. AA coffees are often considered among the highest quality lots produced in the country, prized for their vibrant fruit character, sparkling acidity, and depth.
Like many coffees from East Africa, Kenyan lots are celebrated for their distinct fruit-forward cup profiles. Compared with neighboring Ethiopia, which often produces florals and citrus brightness, Kenyan coffees tend toward stone fruit, wine-like body, and rich berry sweetness, offering a unique expression of African terroir.
Profile
-
Roast: Light
-
Region: Nyeri County, Kenya
-
Farm: Smallholder farmers via Gachatha Coffee Factory
-
Process: Washed
-
Elevation: 1,800–2,100m
-
Varieties: SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11
-
Cup: White Peach, Red Wine, Black Cherry
Share:
Costa Rica — Tesoros Volcánicos
Ethiopia — Wote Konga Natural