<p>Blackcurrant, brown sugar and dried apricot. Washing Station: Gachuiro Farmers Cooperative Society: Kiama FCS Region: Nyeri County Country: Kenya Processing: Washed Elevation: 1,750 - 1,950 masl Variety: SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11 & Batian Coffee Grade: AB Sourced Through: Melbourne Coffee Merchants --- Gachuiro is a washing station (or factory, as they are called in Kenya) located on the eastern side of Mt. Kenya National Park, in the Karatina Municipality of Keya’s Nyeri County. It is one of four active washing stations – along with its sister factories, Kiangundo, Ichuga and Kiamaina – owned by the Kiama Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Society (FCS). Gachuiro receives coffee cherries from about 480 (260 male and 220 female) of the cooperative’s farmer members who grow coffee trees on nearby shambas, located across an elevation of 1,700-1,950 meters above sea level. Once harvested, coffee cherries are delivered to Gachuiro, where they are processed and dried under the management of Ephraim Mwangi Karangi, ahead of being transported to Nairobi for sale (either directly or through the auction system). Besides Ephraim, Gachuiro employs five permanent staff members and an additional seven workers during the season. About Kiama Farmers’ Cooperative Society Kiama FCS was formed in 2005 when two existing cooperatives merged into one. Most of their 2,100 farmer members inherited their farms from their parents who were members of those cooperatives. Kiama now owns four washing stations in Nyeri (Gachuiro, Kiangundo, Ichuga and Kiamaina), along with a cherry collection point, Inwagi. Kiama FCS supports its farmer members by offering pre-harvest financing, allowing them to plan and invest in the upcoming crop. They also buy inputs in bulk and distribute them to members at a lower cost than otherwise possible. Kiama has six members on its board, which is currently overseen by Chairman Charles Nolamburi Ngure and Senior Manager Iddah Rose Wangui Kigathi. Board members must be active</p><p><strong>Origin:</strong> Kenya</p><p><strong>Process:</strong> Washed</p><p><strong>Tasting Notes:</strong> Cherry, Apricot, Brown Sugar, Rose</p>
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