Kirinyaga Kii AB
Kenya

Kirinyaga County sits on the fertile slopes of Mt. Kenya, where the "crest of whiteness" (the local meaning of Kirinyaga) overlooks some of the world’s best coffee terroir. The region’s deep red volcanic soil and high elevation create an ideal environment for slow cherry maturation. Kii is one of three factories operated by the Rungeto Farmers Cooperative Society, a group famous for its consistent quality and high return to its member farmers.

After selective manual picking, cherries are delivered to the Kii Factory and sorted for ripeness. The coffee is depulped and fermented in open-air tanks for 24 to 48 hours, then thoroughly washed with fresh water from the nearby Kii River. A signature Kenyan "soak" follows, where the beans sit in clean water for up to 24 hours to enhance clarity and complexity. Finally, the parchment is dried slowly on raised African beds for 12 to 15 days.