Deliciously fruited, with accents of Naval orange, lemon custard, orange marmalade, tart fresh squeezed lemon, and a dusting of all-spice and cardamom. Light and bright, though juicier body in medium roasts.
Kamwangi factory is located in the Gichugu division of Kirinyaga district. The factory has the good fortune of being connected to the national electric grid, and washing resources are plentiful with the nearby Nyamindi river as the source. Kamwangi is part of the New Ngariama Farmers Cooperative Society (FCS). These factories are basically small washing stations set up in a particular area and are allied with a larger cooperative society – the FCS. Factories have wet mills, washing/fermenting channels, and raised beds where the coffees are basically processed all the way down to dried parchment (being meticulously sorted along the way). Kamwangi has a water recirculation system set up, as well as eight waste water soaking pits to help minimize the environmental impact.
Kamwangi farmers grow primarily SL-28, SL-34, and Ruiru-11 cultivars, benefitting from the red volcanic soils of Mt Kenya, and most above 1800 meters. This is one of two peaberry selections we picked up from Kamwangi this season. Along with the AB lot we’ve already sold out of, all three Kamwangi coffees offered classic Kenyan cup flavors, bright and fruited, and aromatic with baking spices.
Full Cupping Note
Kamawngi Peaberry has a spiced-fruit scent, the dry fragrance perfumed with spiced tropical punch, and a cherry accent. Full City roasts usher in more developed sugar smells, dark dried fruits, and berry reduction. The wet grounds of City and City+ roasts smell of citrus and brown sugar, so sweet, a layered fragrance lemon with a cookie-like sweetness, like lemon squares, with a touch of honey too. At City roast level, the brewed coffee is quite tart, with accents of fresh squeezed lemon, and zesty orange peel. The citrus flavor profile opens up to include notes of Naval orange, lemon custard, kumquat, and orange marmalade, and spiced hints round out the cup-profile with a dusting of all-spice and cardamom. City+ and Full City brings out dark honey and mandarin orange, perhaps finding more balance between sweet/tart/bitter. A sort of ‘puckering’ effect is still present, but countered by deeper, well-developed sweetness. Body is a bit more juicy in this middle roast range, and underscores fruit juice flavors in the cooling cup. Kamwangi’s cup shows delicious fruits in both light and medium roasts, making it difficult for me to pick a favorite.
- Origin: Kenya
- Region: Kirinyaga
- Producer: Kamwangi factory, Ngariama FCS
- Altitude: 1800m
- Cultivar: SL-28, SL-34, Ruiru-11
- Processing: Wet Process (Washed)
- Grade: Peaberry
- Sourcing: Sweet Maria’s