About
Kieni washing station is located in Nyeri County, between the eastern slopes of the Aberdare Mountain range and Mount Kenya. It is situated about two hours north of Nairobi by car. The factory stands at an altitude of 1,800 meters above sea level, where the climate and terrain provide excellent conditions for coffee production. The area is known for its deep red volcanic soils, which are highly fertile and rich in minerals. These factors combine to create a unique environment that produces coffees with remarkable character and complexity.
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The process
The process at Kieni Washing Station begins with the careful selection of ripe cherries, which are delivered to the station immediately after picking. The cherries are processed using the wet method, where the skin and pulp are removed with a disc pulper equipped with three sets of discs. This exposes the parchment layer that protects the green coffee bean. Following pulping, the coffee is fermented for approximately 16 hours to break down sugars and enhance flavor development. Once fermentation is complete, the coffee is thoroughly washed, soaked, and then spread out on raised drying tables. The drying stage is crucial and typically lasts between 7 and 15 days, depending on the climate, temperature, and volume being processed. Wastewater from processing is carefully managed. It is discarded in soaking pits and recirculated to support water conservation efforts at the washing station