Origin - Kenya

Region - Tetu, Nyeri

Process - Washed

Producer - Kiandu Coffee Factory & Farmers Co-operative Society

Altitude - 1600-1700m

Variety - SL-28 & SL-34

Tasting notes - Peach, mango, Orangina

The Kiandu Factory was established in 1970 by the Tetu Coffee Growers Cooperative. In 1989 it merged with the Mutheka Farmers Cooperative Society and in 2011 set out its own society called Kiandu.

Over 1,000 members produce the heirloom cultivar SL28 – prized for its softly sweet and aromatic stone fruit qualities.

Upon harvest, these producers bring their ripe cherries to the nearby Kiandu factory. While Kiandu utilizes much the same equipment and techniques as other coffee mills in the area, attention to detail – from both farmers and the mill itself – is what sets Kiandu apart as one of Kenya’s most recognisable and sought-after coffees at auction.

Members of the cooperative can access pre-financing for school fees, farm inputs, and emergency needs from funds allocated from the previous year’s harvest. This initiative aims to support members in various aspects of their lives and farming activities. By ensuring that producers receive some of the highest returns for their coffee, the cooperative aims to achieve this goal effectively.

In alignment with the increasing awareness of environmental conservation, the factory has taken measures to responsibly manage wastewater. Waste water soak pits have been constructed away from water sources, allowing the waste water to permeate back into the soil. Although the factory currently does not engage in wastewater treatment, these efforts demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship.