Kenya washed Arabica AA Top, Rianjue

The equator passes directly through this East African gem. Despite its tropical climate, Kenya experiences some nice cool-offs through the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria. Flat savannahs home to an abundance of wildlife rise to central highlands, peaked by Mount Kenya at 5,199 m. It is here, where lush slopes are turned into fertile farmlands, creating ideal conditions for cofThe equator runs right through this pearl of East Africa. Despite its tropical climate, Kenya is cooled by the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria. From the flat savannahs with their diverse flora and fauna rise the highlands, whose highest peak is Mount Kenya at 5,199 meters. Here, where the lush slopes give way to fertile farmland, the coffee plant thrives.

The combination of red volcanic soil, high altitudes, and an ideal climate have a decisive impact on the fruity, nearly juicy aromas characterizing these coffees. Due to its geographical location on the equator, there is only little distinction between the different seasons in Kenya.

As opposed to its neighbor Ethiopia, coffee cultivation is relatively new to the county and only started in the early 1900s. Today, agriculture is the major contributor to Kenya's GDP, among which coffee ranks third behind tea and horticultural produce. The total area under coffee cultivation in Kenya is estimated at 160,000 hectares.

Plantations make up about one-third of the area. However, the largest part of the land is used by smallholder farmers who assign themselves to cooperatives. Coffee is mostly sold via auctions that take place weekly during harvesting season. Pricing between buyer and seller is defined by cup quality and grading, depending on the bean size. Coffee beans screened above 17/18 are named "AA" and are the biggest of their kind. The added "Top" or "Plus" refers to the cup profile.