KENYA - Mwiria / Washed

Tasting Notes: Juicy, green apple, plum, starfruit, almond. Lingering maple sweetness. Origin Kenya Region Embu County Owner Producers of Central Ngandori Variety SL 28, SL34, Ruiru 11 Altitude 1,300-1,900 m.a.s.l Proc. Method Washed This AB lot was produced by numerous smallholder farmers, all of whom are members of the Central Ngandori Farmers Co-Operative Society (FCS) delivering to Mwiria Coffee Factory (as washing stations/wet mills are called in Kenya). The factory is located north of the town of Mutunduri, in Kenya’s Embu County. Mwiria is one of three factories operated by the FCS (the other two are Kiini and Karuriri). The society has over 3,000 members in total and is one of the highest-producing groups in the county. The advantageous position of Mwiria Factory certainly helps. It is located at the base of Mt. Kenya, with amazing views on a clear day, perfect soil and microclimate for high quality production and valuable access to the famous Rupingazi River for water. The River was formed when Mt. Kenya was still an active volcano and is characterized by hard deep black volcanic rock and cool clean water flowing from Mt. Kenya. The washing station serves the towns of Kirigi, Kiini, Mukangu and Kathangari, among others. Members are all smallholders with around a hectare or less of land. Coffee is usually grown on only a small part of the ‘shamba’ (farm), and farmers grown other crops such as carrot, banana and fruit to help support and feed their families. Mwiria gets its name from a very large, very old indigenous tree which used to exist on the factory grounds. During colonial times, Mau Mau freedom fighters dug a huge hole inside this tree so that it could serve as a shelter and a hideout from their colonial opponents. During the grand opening of Mwiria factory, which was conducted by Jomo Kenyatta (the first president of Kenya and a freedom fighter, himself), Kenyatta named the factory ‘Mwiria’ or ‘Huge’ in Kikuyu. The factory has three permanent employ