The Marumi Cooperative, part of the Mugaga Agricultural Cooperative, is located near the town of Gachocho, on the eastern slopes of the Aberdare Mountains, north of Nairobi. Farmers in the area mainly grow the much-appreciated SL28 variety, which grows like a dream in the red, volcanic soils. Add to that the rain, which falls an average of 1,100 mm a year, and the altitude of 1,650 meters above sea level – perfect conditions for coffee!
The cherries are carefully washed and then dried on elevated beds (yes, coffee has its luxuries!). The fermentation process causes the sugars to break down, and later the coffee faces thorough cleaning, soaking and drying on special tables. What’s more, farmers get financial support at every stage – from growing to harvesting – and their coffee provides some of the highest incomes, forcing them to care about quality.
As it happens in Kenya, everything is buttoned up, the coffee is delicious “like good old Kenya.”
