Kenya - Baragwi Guama

The Guama Factory is part of the massive Baragwi Farmer’s Cooperative Society (FCS) in Kirinyaga County. Founded in 1953, the FCS’s objective is to promote the socioeconomic interests of its nearly 17,000 farmer members. The FCS is made up of 12 wet mills, (known as factories in Kenya), including Guama. The Guama factory was built in 1974 in the highlands of Kirinyaga at around 1800masl. Today, the factory serves ~2,000 local smallholders. Green co Kenya is graded by screen size. The grades range from E (Elephant Bean), PB (peaberry), AA, AB, C, and other grades.  AA size coffee beans are screen size 17/18.

Washed Process Kenya Co Producers handpick ripe cherries in the early morning and transport them to the wet mill, where the cherries are spread out for sorting. Clean water is poured into the de-pulper, which removes the outer fruit of the cherries between two rotating abrasive slabs. The de-pulped beans then sink into the fermentation tank, where they are left overnight to allow the mucilage to break down.

The next day, the wet mill manager checks the fermentation tanks and decides to proceed with processing based on the "feel" of the fermented parchment. As the washed beans spill into the washing channels, producers repeatedly push the co with wooden shunts to sort the beans by density. The denser, higher-quality beans are then left to sun-dry on raised beds until they reach a moisture content of 10- 12%.

Kenyan green coffee beans are renowned for their bold, fruit-forward favors and complex acidity. Among the most celebrated varietals are SL-28 and SL-34, developed by Scott Agricultural Laboratories (hence, SL) in the 1930s for their

drought resistance, exceptional cup quality, and high yield at elevated altitudes. Following a co varietal was introduced and quickly adopted nationwide. In 2010, the Co Research Institute (CRI) developed Batian, another resistant varietal prized for its tall, hardy growth and manageability by smallholders.

Origin: Guama Village, Kenya

Elevation: 1700-1800 MASL

Producer: Baragwi Farmer's Cooperative Society

Varietals: SL34, SL28, Batian, Ruiru 11

Processing: Washed

Flavor Notes: Dark Chocolate, Blackberry, Papaya