We Taste: Black Currant, Nutmeg, Winey

Origin: Kenya

Process: Washed

Importer: Catalyst Trade

Kenya is an interesting origin to source from for specialty roasters who claim to be committed to both quality and transparency.  Kenya presents specialty roasters with a conundrum by offering some of the highest quality and most unique coffees in the world, while being notoriously difficult to trace coffees transparently and ensure fair payment to the coffee farmer. 

The reasons for this dearth of information are complex and can be traced back to Kenya's time as British colony; the fingerprints of the colonial system that funnel profits to larger corporations at the expense of farmers are still smudged all over the commerce system that drives coffee export. 

Luckily, our friends at Catalyst (who wrote a wonderful blog post about what's wrong with the Kenyan coffee system) have begun the process of injecting themselves into the Kenyan market in hopes to search for an enact solutions that can begin to change things. 

So while we won't pretend that this, or other Kenyan coffees we may offer soon, are separate from and not adulterated by the opaque system in Kenya, we are excited to source and support a company we know will invest in changing things if it is indeed possible. 

And let's not forget the other half of the equation: Kenyan coffees are consistently exceptional. This AA washed offering offers a classic juicy Kenyan profile with notes of red wine, black currant, and nutmeg all prominent. If you love Kenyan coffees, you'll love this offering.