Quick Facts
Producer Organization: Ndiaini Coffee Factory, a member of the Rumukia Farmers Co-operative Society
Country: Kenya
Region: Border of Othaya and Mukurwereini areas
County: Nyeri
Elevation: 1,815 m.a.s.l.
Varieties: SL28 -- with small amounts of Ruiru 11 and Batian
Harvest: October - January (main crop) and April - July (fly crop)
Process: Washed
Exporter: Kenya Co-Operative Coffee Exporters Ltd (KENCAFFEE)
Flavor Notes: Floral, Citrus, Black Currant, Vanilla
Overview
Ndiaini* Coffee Factory is a member of the Rumukia Farmers Co-operative Society located at the border of Othaya and Mukurweini areas in Nyeri County, Central Kenya. It has 315 active members (219 men and 96 women). They are small scale farmers with an average of 0.5 acre farms.
Ndiaini factory has been in operation since 1976, when it was a member of the Giant Mukurweini FCS. In 1999, that society split and there was formation of smaller societies. Some of these societies later merged to form Rumukia FCS in the year 2004. These societies were Ruthanji, Muhito, Kiawamururu, and Ndia-ini. The larger Rumukia FCS has 8 factories: Kagunyu, Gatura, Thunguri, Maganjo, Kiawamururu, Tambaya, Gaikundo, and Ndia-ini. Currently, it has an annual average production of 180,000 kgs of cherry.
*Both ways of spelling may be used: Ndianini and Ndian-ini
Processing Info
Washed
Fully ripe cherries are hand picked from the by the farm owners, family members, and seasonal workers. The cherries are then delivered to Ndiaini Coffee factory where they are hand sorted to remove beans that are immature, have insect damage, or are unripe. The cherries are then weighed. The weight is recorded per grower to assist the society during the final cherry payment. The cherries are then pulped and the coffee is soaked in fermentation tanks for 24 hours, then washed in clean water. The coffee is sundried on raised beds for 14-21 days to reduce the moisture to 10-12%. The dried parchment coffee is then hand sorted a second time and stored in airing bins. When the quantities are sufficient, the parchment is delivered to the dry mill for milling, grading, and bagging.
Regional Info
Nyeri County, Kenya
Ndiaini Factory is located at the border of Othaya and Mukurwereini area in Nyeri county, at the foot of the Aberdare Range. Under clear skies, the peak of Mt. Kenya is visible.
Nyeri County has ideal regional conditions for coffee production, including an annual rainfall of 11,00mm at 1,650 m.a.s.l., cool temperatures of 16-26°C, and mineral-rich red volcanic soil. In addition to coffee, other common crops grown in the area are bananas and maize. Grevillea ("spider flowers") and macadamia trees are also planted to provide shade to the growing coffee trees.
Credits:
Information courtesy of KENCAFFEE