Ichuga Mill, Kenya (2020)
Ichuga Mill, Kenya (2020)
Region: Nyeri
Processing: Wet, drying on raised beds
Altitude: 1850 meters
Varietals: SL28
Sourcing: Importer Sourced (Coffee Shrub)
Our Tasting Notes:
Ichuga has an intense flavor: it's a classic, acid forward Kenya tasting like red currant, boysenberry, and lemon. It's jammy in the best way and has a white wine-like body.
Most Kenya coffee is auctioned off and mixed together by cooperatives (called Societies in Kenya). The importer who sourced this lot bought it direct from the Ichuga mill (which in Kenya is called a Factory) in Nyeri County. This is a AA selection from Ichuga meaning the beans are quite large, and perhaps most significant, it is an SL-28 selection. This varietal, created by Scott Labs nearly 80 years ago, is famed for its distinctive taste and acidity: blackberry, grapefruit, and currant. These prized flavors are increasingly rare as SL-28 is replaced by more disease resistant, higher yielding cultivars. In this case, the blackberry and currant shines. Enjoy it while it lasts!