Tekangu AA, Kenya

Tasting Notes

Roast Level: Light
Process: Washed
Varietal: SL28 & SL 34
Roaster's Notes: Delicious citrus and fruity vibes from this great Kenyan coffee. A tasty red apple sweetness with fruity passionfruit undertone, pulled through with a pomelo tang. 

Farm Info

Producer: Tekangu FCS
Region: Nyeri County
Altitude: 2,000 metres

Background Information

Located in the foothills of Mount Kenya, Tekangu is situated in the famous coffee town of Nyeri, in the heart of Nyeri County. The Tekangu Cooperative works with some of the top processing stations in the region, including the highly respected Karagoto and Tegu washing stations.

The altitude varies from 1,800 to 2,200 metres above sea level, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius. Annual rainfall ranges between 750mm to 950mm, gently soaking the well-drained deep red volcanic loam soil. All this makes for some truly exceptional lots, and it is not surprising that the farm benefits from many direct sales to roasters around the globe.

For processing, only the ripest cherries are picked. These are delivered on the same day to the ‘factory’ (as Kenyan washing stations/wet mills are called), sorted to remove any damaged or underripe cherries, and pulped. The coffee is next fermented before being fully washed to remove all the remaining mucilage.

After the coffee is washed, it is delivered to rest. Once soaked and clean, the parchment is graded through channels and then delivered to drying tables. Here it will be sorted, as it loses excess surface moisture. Usually, drying times are around 7 to 14 days until the coffee reaches the optimal humidity of 10.5 to 11%. Coffee is turned and sorted and is covered during the hottest part of the day to prevent splitting and to promote even drying. After this is reached, the coffee is bagged and rested.


Screen sizing in Kenya

- The AA, AB and other grades used to classify lots in Kenya are an indication of screen size only. They are not an indication of cup quality. The AA grade in Kenya is equivalent to screen size 18 (18/64 of an inch) used at other origins. AA grades often command higher prices at auction though this grade is no indication of cup quality and an AB lot from a better farm may cup better. PB (denoting Peaberry) is the smallest screen size