Kenya Rungeto Karimikui

Origin: Kenya

Producer: Rungeto Cooperative

Farm: Karimikui Station

Process: Washed

Variety: SL28 & SL34

Elevation: 1800 MASL

Tasting Notes: Blackcurrant, Lime, Almond

Karimikui is one of the factories that we remember from the early days of specialty. At that time Nyeri was more famous for quality coffees than Kirinyaga, but this trend has changed significantly the past few years.
The Karimikui factory is located in Ngairiama in the Gichugu division of Kirinyaga district, Central Province. It is one of three factories, along with Kiangoi and Kii, which make up the Rungeto Farmers Coop Society.
This coop was established in 1953 and now has around 3507 members. Each smallholder member has around a hectare of land for growing coffee alongside vegetables for their families. The area has rich and fertile red volcanic soil at altitudes of
1700 to 1900 meters above sea level and receives between 1600 and 1900mm of rainfall annually. SL28 was bred by Scott Laboratories in 1931 from Tanganyika D.R. It has become very popular throughout Kenya and is recognized as a variety of
exceptional cup quality. It has wide leaves with coppery tips, and the beans are wide. At the same time, the productivity of SL28 is comparatively low. Though there is no sufficient proof, some sources claim that Scott Labs crossed mutations of French Mission, Mocha and Yemen Typica to produce SL 28. Whatever the exact genetic composition, their original goal almost certainly was to create a plant with high quality, reasonable productivity and great drought resistance. SL 34 is a mutation of French Mission, originating from the plantation of Loresho in Kabete. SL34 has wide leaves with
bronzy tips. It is widely grown throughout Kenya. SL34 is valued for its high productivity in different climate conditions and great height ranges. It is also claimed to be able to withstand drought and strong rainfall.