With nearly 700,000 coffee producers, roughly 70% of which are smallholder producers, Kenya shines as a unique coffee-producing country in East Africa. Within the Nyeri County is the Kamoini Coffee Factory, belonging to the Othaya Farmers’ Cooperative Society (FCS). In Kenya, factories are essentially wet mills and collection points for coffee. 

The Factory was opened in 1987 in the Othaya area in Nyeri County, Central Kenya. There are roughly 551 smallholder producers contributing cherries to this lot, 358 men and 193 women. Producers will typically grow tea, maize, wheat, potato, kale, in addition to coffee whilst also raising cattle for dairy and chickens.

Situated at roughly 1,824 meters above sea level, the region where the Factory is located is defined by its bright red soils, full of rich nutrients for coffee trees. The high altitude allows for ideal temperatures and rainfall for the slow maturation of coffee cherries. Producers will add manure, compost, coffee pulp and green manure to enrich their soil.

After the producers gather their ripe cherries, they will deliver them to the Factory. Generally, producers only travel 5 kilometers to deliver their coffee, utilizing wheelbarrows, bicycles and motorbikes. Once the cherries reach the mill, they are sorted and then dispersed on raised beds. The cherries dry in the open sun for 2 – 4 weeks, or until the moisture content reaches 12 – 13%. In order to prevent the growth of mold, the cherries are regularly raked, which also ensures even drying. NH, or Natural Heavy, refers to naturally processed coffee screen 15 and above.

This lot was sourced by our exporting partner, Mercanta Coffee, via Kenya Co-operative Coffee Exporters Limited (KCCE), which was founded in June of 2009. The creation of the KCCE was supported by the government in response to the vital need for coffee producers in Kenya to have more control over the marketing of their coffee in order to increase income. The organization was thus formed to address the many challenges smallholders face in Kenya with its main goal to assist with processing, promoting, and marketing the coffee from these producers. By providing technical and advisory services to producers, they are able to help them increase production and quality, which will improve revenue. With more income, producers are thus able to invest more in their farms and communities.

Delicious and super juicy. Notes of stewed fruit, blackcurrants, red dates and rhubarb. Acidity-driven and balanced. Dutch Colony have always look forward yearly to new harvest from Kenya and with this having a myriad of flavours as described above that is palate teasing, which turns into longan and cranberry when cooled and well balanced, it will definitely not be the last you see us having this available again in our roastery. This year, Kamoini is part of our 2025 The Nutcracker festive blend and a single origin espresso, serving in both our retail shop's grinder for you to enjoy.