Kenya
MASL - 1200 - 2300
Usual processing methods - Natural, Washed
Kenya is one of the latest countries to grow coffee, some 300 years after the plant was first cultivated for sale. Coffee was originally planted in Kenya while it was still under British occupation. Its cultivation became increasingly important as demand for coffee grew in Europe. Once Kenya achieved independence from Britain in the 1960s, many small holders were given coffee plantations as part of the distribution of private and colonially-owned property.
In the 2000s approximately 85% of coffee plantations were owned by Kenyan farmers. Today the majority are small farms, some with as few as 150 coffee trees.
This coffee is brought to us by Lot 20. In their own words their mission is “to innovate through cutting-edge experimental processes to bring the best of Kenyan coffee to the world.” Their coffee processing facility is based in the fertile highlands of Kericho, Kenya. Born of a desire to help smallholders in their region access the world market, improve the quality of their coffee and experiment with natural processing, which has become almost synonymous with African specialty coffee.
Lot 20 are passionate about creating opportunities for their fellow coffee growers especially as the Kericho and Bomet regions have long been overshadowed by Central Kenya where the Nairobi Coffee Exchange is based. By helping smallholders organise and work together, Lot 20 is paving the way for coffee growers in their region to process and sell excellent quality, speciality grade coffee independently.