Rianjagi AA

This lot is part of our direct marketing initiative in Kenya. During her recent visit to the country, our colleague Lara was able to personally witness the high quality characteristic of coffees from this origin. She also had the opportunity to select small treasures like this lot, thanks to our direct collaboration with the Rianjagi cooperative.

Rianjagi is a producer cooperative responsible for managing the processing of the cherries from this batch. In Kenya, as in other African countries, small coffee growers often join cooperatives to process and market their harvests, given the fragmentation of farms, which are typically around one hectare in size.

The Rianjagi washing station, located in the Manyatta Sub County coffee district, within the Embu coffee-growing region, was built in 1976. Currently, both the station and the cooperative belong to local producers, who receive support with inputs, agricultural training, and marketing of their coffees.

The producers' farms are located between 1,650 and 1,800 meters above sea level and grow varieties such as Ruiru 11, SL 28, SL 34, and Batian. The red cherries are carefully hand-picked and delivered to the washing station. Once there, they are pulped and fermented for 12 to 16 hours. The parchment is then washed with clean water and dried on African beds, turning it regularly to ensure even drying.

The region's natural environment contributes significantly to the quality of the coffee. The variable climate, with temperatures between 10°C and 26°C, abundant rainfall, and soils rich in minerals and organic matter make Embu a prime location for coffee cultivation. Furthermore, the water used in the process is extracted from nearby rivers and recirculated to conserve resources, then transferred to soaking wells to prevent contamination.

When the coffee reaches the optimal moisture level, it is taken to the Othaya Farmers Cooperative Society dry mill to be threshed.

The car wash station is managed by Newton Njagi, who, together with his team, ensures the facilities operate at their best.