WASHED SL28, RUIRU11 - RED CURRANTS, PASSION-FRUIT, BROWN SUGAR Juicy and sweet with notes of red currant, ripe passion-fruit and brown sugar. Structured. Origin: Kenya Region: Kirinyaga Producer: around 1800 smallholder farmer members of the New Ngariama Farmers Cooperative in collaboration with the Kainamui factory Elevation: 1740 masl Variety: Batian, SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11 Process: Washed Roasted for: Filter- This lot captivated us with its profile that is quite unique for a coffee from Kenya with its strong tropical notes. The Kainamui factory serves about 1,800 smallholder coffee farmers who are members of the New Ngariama Farmers Cooperative Society, about 600 of whom are women. The smallholders own an average of 200 trees on less than half a hectare of land. Farmers in the area grow gravellea, macadamia nuts, eucalyptus, tea, corn, and bananas in addition to coffee. The factory receives field visits from agricultural ministers and agro-companies who offer training programs. The F.C.S. also provides pre-financing for farmers to allow them to pay school fees, production costs, and in case of emergencies. We sourced this lot after having had the chance to meet Claudia Bellinzoni the head of sourcing for Kenya at Cafe Imports, who is a new partner to us. We had some fascinating conversations with her around sourcing in Kenya and the current situation there, as well as how Cafe Imports has been sourcing in the country. It was after this meeting that we started exploring a partnership with for lots from Kenya with Cafe Imports, and we could not be more excited to collaborate closely with them.