Welcome to a journey deep into the heart of Murang’a County, Kenya, where we discover the story behind one of our most exceptional coffees. Tucked away in the breathtaking slopes of the Aberdare Ranges, you’ll find Kihuro Coffee Estate, a family-based farm dedicated to producing high-quality, ethically-grown coffee.
Location and Unique Terroir
Kihuro Coffee Estate is situated in the Mathioya sub-county, just 25 km from Murang’a town along the Murang’a-Kiria-ini road. The farm sits at a perfect coffee-growing altitude of 1750 meters above sea level. Here, the coffee bushes thrive in rich, volcanic, and slightly acidic soils, which are a major contributor to the unique taste of their coffee. This unique terroir results in a sweet, pleasant, and clean finish that is truly unforgettable. The name "Kihuro" itself denotes the undulating, sloping landscape, topographically ideal for growing top-notch coffee.
Coffee & Organic Farming Practices
Kihuro specialises in the cultivation of the Batian and Ruiru coffee varieties. These varieties are the result of extensive research by the Coffee Research Foundation of Kenya (CRF) and have been proven to be disease-resistant, which significantly reduces the need for chemical treatments.
Every step of the process is handled with care and precision:
- The coffee is handpicked and hand sorted to ensure only the highest quality cherries are used.
- It is then wet milled with clean water, naturally fermented, and sundried.
Kihuro's commitment to quality goes beyond just the varieties they grow. They practice organic farming with good crop husbandry, which gives their coffee its intense, sweet, and floral aroma. They use farmyard manure and bio-gas slurry to grow healthy bushes and even intercrop their coffee with macadamia trees to maximize their returns.
A Commitment to a Greener Future
As a family-based estate farm, Kihuro is known for its skill and passion. Their dedication to high-quality production is matched by their commitment to environmental stewardship. A large portion of the farm is set aside for forest land, demonstrating their environmentally friendly ethos. By practicing organic methods and focusing on sustainable growth, Kihuro ensures that its coffee is not only a delight to drink but also a product that respects and nourishes the land it comes from.
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