Kenya - Tegu

Tegu AB – Washed Kenyan Coffee

From the highlands of Nyeri County, this exceptional lot comes from the renowned Tegu washing station near Karatina. Named after the Tegu River—“low place” in Kikuyu—the station works with around 1,200 smallholder farmers, each cultivating an average of just 0.4 hectares. Tegu has built a reputation for quality, consistently achieving prices above market rates and returning over 85% of those earnings directly to producers.

At 1,800 meters above sea level, the region’s rich soils and cool climate slow cherry maturation, enhancing sweetness and complexity. This lot is composed primarily of classic Kenyan varieties SL28 and SL34, alongside Ruiru 11, a newer cultivar prized for its resilience and productivity.

Processed using the traditional washed method, cherries are pulped, fermented for up to 24 hours, washed, soaked, and then dried slowly over 20 days. This meticulous approach results in a clean, vibrant cup with striking clarity.

Graded as AB (screen size 16–17), these beans are slightly smaller than AA but offer equally compelling quality, with flavour shaped more by terroir and processing than size alone.

In the cup: bright and expressive, with notes of strawberry and rhubarb layered over orange peel acidity and a smooth vanilla finish.

• Origin: Karatina, Nyeri County, Kenya

• Altitude: 1800 MASL

• Varieties: SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11

• Process: Washed

• Flavour Notes: Strawberry, Rhubarb, Orange Peel, Vanilla