Karani AA

A field blend of SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11, & Batian from smallholder farmers, members of the Kabare Farmer’s Cooperative Society, who deliver to Karani washing station, in Kirinyaga, Kenya. Processed as washed, fermented in tanks and dried on raised beds. 

Karani washing station (factory) was constructed in 1998. It’s operated by Kabare Cooperative Society and serves the more than 600 smallholder farmers who deliver cherry to the station. The sometimes snowy peaks of Mt. Kenya are visible from the factory and from many of the surrounding farms. It’s a beautiful place.

Once sorted, cherry is depulped on the factory’s disc pulper and then density sorted. Pulped cherry is dry fermented for 16 to 24 hours. Karani members check the ferment regularly to ensure the fermentation is halted right when they want it to be. After fermentation, cherry is sent through washing and grading channels.

Parchment is placed on raised drying beds. Staff sort drying parchment to remove any remaining defective beans and turn parchment constantly to promote even drying. Drying typically takes between 1 and 3 weeks.