Kenya AA Thunguri Auction Lot

About Kenya AA Thunguri Auction Lot

This year we had the opportunity to import coffee directly from Kenya. After cupping our way through many AA auction lot samples, most of them very nice, we settled on two in moderately different price ranges. Our top pick for the season is the Thunguri AA microlot that showed itself so well that we knew right away it was one we had to have. While still a little pricey, top Kenya lots are considerably less per pound, by several dollars, then last year. A couple of years with exceptional rain had reduced crop size and spiked prices, but that situation is now settling down. This is a coffee grown locally and processed at the Thunguri Coffee Factory, but the lot was isolated and marketed separately for its high quality.

The Thunguri Coffee Factory is located in Central Province, Kirinyaga District in Kiini North location of Ndia Division near Karatina town. It was established in 1987 and sits on a 7 acre parcel of land serving Gathundie, Gathiruini, Thunguri and Kaguyu Villages. Currently it is affiliated to Kibirigwi Farmers Co-operative Society Ltd whose membership currently stands at 800 farmers. The most unique aspect of this factory is that it’s located within a tea growing zone and it also has a very active membership.

The Factory, really a washed processing center, is at 1628 meters, about 5350 feet, but some of the area farms are higher still. Almost the entirety of coffee processed here are the classic Bourbon offshoots SL28 and SL34. After harvesting, all the coffee is delivered to the factory and undergoes the wet processing method. Water is pumped from River Kamukokari to the reservoir tanks for pulping and recirculation. After pulping the coffee is stored over night, washed, soaked and spread on drying tables to dry slowly in the sun. The parchment is frequently turned on the drying tables, then sorted and stored while awaiting delivery to the millers who will remove the parchment husk and prepare it for export.

Top lots are separated according to grade and cup quality and move to the auction block, where they are recupped. Naturally, the best afford the highest and active bidding. Our Thunguri AA lot is an example of the best coffee from Kenya.

This coffee shipped from origin and arrived at our facility packed in 30kg vacuum packages.

Cup Characteristics: We were wowwed by this coffee. Pronounced vanilla aromatics. Thunguri is tart, puckery and dry on the finish. Clean, extremely complex and balanced. Flavors open up in layers, revealing nuances with each sip. Blackberry, blackcurrant. A terrific cup.

Roasting Notes: Beans are hard and dense and can be roasted to a variety of darkness levels. Most floral and delicate notes will be presented at City+ to FC range. The delicate nuances of this coffee will present themselves at lightly roasted levels but be sure to have a full first crack. Behmor users try P1 or P3.