Karatina Ngunguru AA

Located in Nyeri where high altitudes, abundant rainfall, and rich volcanic soils create ideal conditions for year-round coffee cultivation – the early harvest runs from June to August, while the late harvest is collected from October to March. 

Ripe cherries are handpicked by 1,450 small-holder farmers and then fully-washed processed by Karatina using fresh water from the Ragati River.

Farmers deliver ripe cherry to the washing station, where they are depulped and fermented for approximately 12-24hrs (usually overnight) to break down the remaining mucilage. The coffee then moves through washing channels into soaking tanks, where it is cleaned and soaked before being transferred to raised drying tables.

During drying, the parchment is regularly turned by hand and continuously sorted. Drying time varies depending on weather conditions, ambient temperature, and the total volume being processed, typically taking between 7-15 days.