Kamwangi Factory AA
The Story
Kamwangi AA comes from the Gichugu division of Kenya’s Kirinyaga district, nestled in the fertile, volcanic foothills surrounding Mount Kenya. While this region is often overshadowed by its neighbour Nyeri, the coffees here display remarkable clarity, depth, and balance — qualities that have made Kamwangi one of Kenya’s most respected factories.
The New Ngariama Cooperative is made up of smallholder farmers, each typically cultivating around 100 trees. During harvest, they deliver freshly picked cherries daily — often carrying 25–50 kilos by foot or by bike. Every delivery is hand-sorted to remove unripe or overripe cherries before processing begins, ensuring that only the finest quality reaches the factory.
Factory manager Edwin Gichori leads Kamwangi with a focus on long-term improvement and farmer empowerment. The factory offers small advance payments at delivery and, after milling and marketing costs, returns up to 80% of the final sale price back to producers — a remarkable model of shared value. Kamwangi has also been Rainforest Alliance certified since 1997, reflecting its commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
Processing
Cherries are carefully hand-sorted by farmers before being pulped to remove the skin and fruit. The coffee is then graded by density into three categories. Fermentation occurs under shade for 24–36 hours, followed by thorough washing and another round of density grading in the washing channels. The parchment coffee is soaked overnight in clean water to enhance clarity and sweetness, then dried on raised beds for 12–20 days, covered with plastic during the hottest hours to protect against excess sun and rain.
This meticulous fully washed process results in a coffee that is bright, clean, and complex — showcasing the precision and care that define Kenya’s finest coffees.
Relationship
This lot represents the ongoing collaboration between Drop Coffee and the New Ngariama Cooperative Society, a partnership now spanning nine years. Through Drop’s long-term commitment, the cooperative has continued to refine its practices and strengthen its community impact.
Ithaka is honoured to share in this story — bringing Kamwangi AA to more coffee lovers and supporting the continued growth of a relationship built on respect, traceability, and shared passion for quality.
Taste
A vibrant and elegant cup with layers of blackcurrant, red plum, and cane sugar, lifted by a bright citrus acidity and a clean, structured sweetness — a quintessential expression of Kirinyaga’s volcanic terroir and meticulous craft.
