Description
Merchant Notes: A fruity lot with notes of plum, kiwi, blackcurrant and strawberry. Juicy smooth mouthfeel carries notes of toffee and orange.
Roast: Light - medium
Recipe: Dose: 22g, yield: 44g, time: 27 - 32s
Country / region: Kenya / Kiangai
Process: Fully washed
Altitude: 1572m
Background
Thirikwa Cooperative is a distinguished producer group comprising approximately 3,700 active farmer members who deliver their cherries to its sole factory, Gakuy-ini. Established in 1997, Gakuy-ini is one of the rare cooperatives operating just one processing station, an approach that has allowed for exceptional oversight and consistently high-quality standards. Under the guidance of a factory manager with more than 20 years of experience at the site, Thirikwa has built a strong reputation for producing outstanding coffees while returning competitive payments to its members.
The coffee is processed using a fully washed method. Cherries are hand-sorted and floated to remove defects before pulping begins. Farmers typically start delivering from around 11:00 am, with pulping commencing mid-afternoon at approximately 3:00 pm. The parchment is then fermented overnight to develop clarity and structure in the cup, before being washed and graded into P1, P2, P3, P lights and pods. The highest grades, P1 and P2, undergo an additional soaking period of around 16 hours to further enhance quality, while the remaining grades move directly to raised drying tables. Drying takes between 8–14 days, depending on weather conditions, ensuring stability and preserving the coffee’s vibrant character.
Sustainability and community development are central to Thirikwa’s operations. Water used during processing is carefully recycled throughout the day, with its source being the nearby Kiri River that flows through the factory compound. In addition, coffee pulp is returned to cooperative members, where it is combined with cow manure and repurposed as organic fertiliser. This closed-loop approach not only reduces environmental impact but also supports soil health and long-term productivity for the farming community.
