Dear coffee subscriber,
This month I have selected 3 variations of one of my favourite coffee cultivars, the SL28.
SL28 is one of the most popular cultivars grown in Kenya because of its high yields and superior quality in the cup. It is no secret that I love this fruity cultivar that at its best taste like black currant juice, rhubarb or rose hip tea. SL28 was a selection made by the Scott Agricultural Laboratories in the 1930’s and along with the SL34 cultivar it is the most commonly grown cultivar in Kenya and an important reason why everyone thinks about fruity coffees when they speak of Kenyan coffees.
If you subscribe to 3 bags or more you will also be able to see how this coffee cultivar expresses itself when grown in the mountains of Honduras.
I hope you will enjoy these refreshing and fruity coffees.
PS: If the weather allows for it I highly recommend trying them as iced coffees, so check out the recipe we use in our bar in this video.
Kagumoini (1st & 4th bag)
Flavour notes
Ripe mango & red berries
Producer
Several smallholder farmers
Harvest
December 2022
Origin
Muranga, Kenya
Process
Washed
Cultivar
SL28, SL34, Batian & Ruiru 11
Kagumoini is a wet mill/washing station located in Muranga, situated between Nairobi and Nyeri in central-Kenya. Although this coffee consist of the same cultivars of coffee as the coffee from Karogoto, it has a very different flavour profile. This is probably because of the differences in the micro climate in each region but I am sure there are other factors involved as well.
This lot from Kagumoini was one of the better coffees I cupped during my visit to Kenya last year and it really stood out with its very soft acidity, ripe mango and red berry flavours. A super smooth and fruity coffee. It makes a really good contrast to the Karogoto we are sending out this month, that has a lot more intensity of acidity than the coffee from Kagumoini.
Karogoto (2nd & 5th bag)
Flavour notes
Rose hips, hibiscus & blackcurrants
Producer
Several smallholder farmers
Harvest
December 2022
Origin
Nyeri, Kenya
Process
Washed
Cultivar
SL28, SL34, Batian & Ruiru 11
The coffees from Karogoto are always super clean and have an intense fruity and floral flavour. This is most likely because most of the members/farmers are still growing the SL28 cultivar and have received a lot of agricultural training over the years. The climatic conditions also contributes to the coffees intensity. The cool nights and moderately hot days slow down the ripening process and gives a very sweet, intense and unique coffee.
Nacimiento SL28 (3rd & 6th bag)
Flavour notes
Winey, red berries & blackcurrant
Producer
Jobneel Caceres Dios
Harvest
March – May 2023
Origin
El Cielito, Santa Barbara, Honduras
Process
Washed
Cultivar
SL28
SL28 is best known as the cultivar that is grown in Kenya and that makes Kenyan coffees so bright and fruity. But it does exist in other countries too. We planted the seeds of these SL28 trees with Jobneel many years ago and it has become one of our favourite coffees from his farm. Jobneel planted his SL28 coffee at the top of his farm at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. This means the coffee cherries will ripen slowly and the cool nights make the trees produce more sugar in order to protect themselves from frost. Cool growing conditions make coffee cherries and beans more dense and full of flavour. Cooler climates also contribute to more intense and winey flavours because lower temperatures prolongs the fermentation process. Jobneel will typically ferment this coffee for 24-36 hours, depending on the temperature, before it is washed. The result is a unique winey and fruity coffee that has a lot lower acidity and more chocolaty flavour and heavy body than the SL28 coffees we buy in Kenya.