Tasting Notes: Butterscotch, Golden Raisin, Black Tea
Region: Nyeri, Central Province
Growing Elevation: 1,800 masl
Producer: The Barichu Cooperative Society
Variety: SL-28 & SL-34
Process: Washed
We were cupping for more than a few weeks trying to find our first Kenyan offering of the year and we think this one will be a treat for y'all.
Sourced through our long-time friends at Falcon Coffees, this coffee stood out on the table for its sweetness and complex profile. The dry grounds deliver a fragrance reflective of molasses and dark fruits. Once the water is poured, the aroma doubles down on the sweetness and a bright dried fruit note appears. The first flavors you taste burst with sweetness - butterscotch, brown sugar, malted chocolate. As the cup cools, the more delicate flavors of golden raisins, prune, and nutmeg appear. The acidity is low in intensity but complex, and the body is medium thin but silky. The resulting cup is complex, yet balanced and reminiscent of a high quality blend of black and herbal teas.
SL28, originally selected in the 1930s, is especially valued for its drought tolerance and complex, sweet profile with wine-like undertones. SL34, another historic selection, is admired for its rich body and balanced acidity, though it requires careful management due to its susceptibility to disease.
