Ichuga Nyeri AA
The high altitude of 1,700 meters above sea level, combined with Nyeri’s nutrient-rich volcanic soil, create the ideal conditions for farmers delivering cherry to Ichuga station. This fruit-forward FW coffee is juicy and clean with notes of currants, berries and citrus.
Ichuga is one of 5 factories owned and operated by Kiama Farmer Cooperative Society (FCS). Located in Nyeri, near the town of Karatina, Ichuga Factory (washing station) is located at 1,700 meters above sea level.
Nyeri’s red volcanic soil is rich in organic matter and nutrients, making it an excellent region for coffee product. Sucafina Kenya’s field team provides training to farmers and washing station employees. The station also receives prefinancing from Sucafina to support maintenance and operating costs.
Farmers selectively handpick ripe cherry and deliver it to washing stations near them. Cherry is carefully sorted at intake where under- and over-ripes, along with any foreign matter, are removed.
Once sorted, ripe, red cherry is added straight to the hopper and pulped. Coffee is fermented and then washed in clean water to remove any remaining mucilage.
Wet parchment is sorted and any damaged beans that remain are removed. Then, parchment is moved to raised beds to finish drying. Here, it is turned regularly to ensure even drying and covered at the hottest part of the day and overnight to prevent cracking and/or condensation. Workers will also regularly inspect drying parchment and remove any damaged beans. Drying time is usually around two weeks, depending on the weather at the time.
Once dry, parchment is delivered to Kahawa Bora Millers, one of our Sister Companies in Kenya. The mill has the capacity to mill smaller lots separately to help preserve quality and traceability.
