Kenyan Kagari AA Coffee: A Celebration of Legacy and Land

Quaffee and Cedar Coffee Roasters teamed up with Kathande Coffee Factory to source this standout AA-graded, washed Kenyan Kagari coffee—now freshly landed and ready to be savoured.

Kenya: A Land of Diversity

Kenya offers stunning geographical contrasts. To the east, a 536-kilometre coastline borders the Indian Ocean; at its centre, Mount Kenya soars to nearly 5,200 metres, marking the nation’s highest point. Meanwhile, northern borders connect with Ethiopia and South Sudan—regions widely regarded as the cradle of Arabica coffee. Kenya also shares two of Africa’s largest lakes—Lake Turkana and Lake Victoria—with its neighbours, enriching the country’s ecological tapestry.

Furthermore, Kenya’s deep history continues to fascinate archaeologists. Evidence suggests early Homo sapiens settled here as early as the 3rd millennium BCE, securing its place in the story of human origins.

The Story of Kenyan Coffee

Although Arabica coffee likely originated just north of Kenya, the crop was introduced to the country much later. French missionaries first brought coffee from Réunion (Bourbon) in 1893. Later, the British expanded coffee cultivation on a larger scale, primarily using varieties from Brazil.

Over time, the Scott Agricultural Laboratories (Scott Labs) developed and introduced several cultivars to Kenya. Among these, SL28 became the most closely associated with Kenyan coffee.

Kenyan coffee is often celebrated for its bright acidity, which carries notes of berries and fruit, balanced by a distinct sweetness. The complexity of its flavor profile has earned it a strong reputation in the global coffee community.

Tracing Kenya’s Coffee Journey

Although Arabica coffee likely originated just north of Kenya, it arrived on Kenyan soil much later. French missionaries first introduced the crop from Réunion (Bourbon) in 1893. Subsequently, British colonial growers cultivated it more widely, mainly using Brazilian strains.

Over time, Kenya’s Scott Agricultural Laboratories developed cultivars better suited to the local climate and soil. Among these, SL28 rose to prominence, becoming synonymous with Kenyan coffee thanks to its vibrant acidity, berry-forward character, and subtle sweetness. As a result, Kenya earned a stellar reputation in the global coffee community.

Kagari AA Washed: Crafted with Care

Kenya ranks among the world’s most respected coffee producers. Known for its lively acidity, full body, and vibrant fruit notes, most of the nation’s coffee is cultivated by smallholders who are part of co-operatives. These co-operatives operate washing stations (commonly referred to as factories), where the coffee is processed and sold either through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange or direct export.

Kathande Coffee Factory belongs to the Kagaari North Farmers’ Co-operative Society, located in Kianjokoma within Embu County. Since its founding in 1979—and with Fairtrade certification granted in 2015—it has supported 536 smallholder members, offering training, market access, and sustainability initiatives.

Embu County

Perched at an elevation of 1,800 to 1,900 metres on Mount Kenya’s southeastern slopes, the Kathande Factory benefits from rich volcanic soils and a temperate climate. Farmers grow their coffee close to home at low densities (500 to 1,500 trees per hectare), cultivating varietals like Batian and SL28. The harvest typically runs from October to January.

The beans undergo a washed process and are then sun-dried on raised beds until their moisture content reaches 10–12%. Vacuum-packed and boxed, they arrive with peak freshness preserved.

Kenyan Kagari AA

For the past decade, sourcing Kenyan coffee that truly thrilled us proved difficult. That changed when we encountered Karuthi AA. From the very first tasting, its flavour rekindled the magic of the Kenyans we first fell in love with. Though more costly—and with airfreight as our only viable option—we knew we had to secure it. Now that it’s here, we’re genuinely glad we did.

Coffee Details

Starting brews:

Transparency Information

Sources:

• Kathanda Coffee Factory coffee info sent to us.
• James Hoffman’s Coffee atlas