Description

This Kenyan Chesiro Peaberry fully washed coffee was sourced from Sevenoaks Trading Premier coffee division. Chesiro is the fifth coffee we have sourced via the relationship with Kenyan coffee traders initially established with Bespoke and now managed by Sevenoaks. Chesiro represents the fourth season we have secure coffee via this relationship.

Kenya

Kenya is a geographically, diverse country. In the East, there is a coastline of 536 km (333 mi). Of course, this coastline is along the Indian Ocean. Almost in the middle of the country is Mount Kenya, which is virtually 5200 masl, the highest altitude in the country.

To the North is Ethiopia and South Sudan considered the birthplace of Arabica. Two of Africa large lakes are shared with Kenya; Lake Turkana and the famous Lake Victoria. Uganda is its western neighbour, with whom they share the Mount Elgon Nation Park. Mount Elgon is an extinct shield volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya, north of Kisumu and west of Kitale. The mountain’s highest point, named “Wagagai”, is located entirely within Uganda.

Of course, the country has a long history associated with Homo sapiens. Most probably the first of them settling in the land around the 3rd millennium BCE.

Kenyan Coffee

Even though the likely birthplace of Arabica is just to the north of Kenya, coffee was introduced as a crop. First by French missionaries in 1893, who introduced coffees from Rénuion (Bourbon), and then by the British on a larger scale, who mainly used coffees that came from Brazil.

Several Scott Agricultural Laboratories (Scott Labs) cultivars were introduced to Kenya, with SL28 becoming the cultivar most associated with Kenya.

Many coffee pundits sing the praises of Kenyan coffee. Well known for its good bright berry and fruit like acidity with an accompanying sweetness. Also, the complexity of their coffees has made them world-renowned.

Kenyan Chesiro

This coffee is grown by the 500 plus small-holder farmers of the Chesiro Farmers’ Co-operative Society in Bungoma, Kenya. Bungoma county which derives its name from the Bukusu word engoma (drums) is renowned for its sugar cane plantations. Coffee farmers here are determined to improve production to supplement a troubled and failing sugar industry plagued with insurmountable debts and old infrastructure.

That said, there is a great focus on sustainability as farmers compete with their peers in Central Kenya where most renowned coffees have generally been produced. As a testament to their dedication, members produce about 40 tons of ripe red cherries on the 80 plus hectares of farmland located on the south-eastern slopes of Mount. Elgon. Here, coffees enjoy plenty of rainfall, relatively warm weather and mineral-rich volcanic soils that leave a distinct hallmark in flavour!