NDAINI AA - Kenya

Producer – Ndaini

Process – Washed  

Varietal – SL28, SL34

Origin – Kenya

Tasting Notes – Blackcurrant and Orange Zest

Info :

Kenya Ndiaini comes from the famous Nyeri region in central Kenya, an area celebrated for producing some of the world’s most vibrant and complex coffees. It’s named after the village of Ndiaini, which means “deepest part of the river” in the local language, a fitting nod to both its sense of place and depth of flavor.

The coffee is grown by smallholder farmers who are part of the Ndia-Ini Cooperative, an established group that’s been supporting local producers since 1969. Nestled in Nyeri’s rich, red volcanic soil and cool high-altitude climate, the farms benefit from ideal growing conditions. The combination of elevation, rainfall, and temperature variation produces beans with remarkable clarity and character.

With around 1,200 registered members, about 395 of whom regularly deliver cherries to the cooperative’s washing station, the Ndia-Ini Cooperative ensures full traceability back to each farm. Farmers typically grow coffee as their main cash crop, tending small plots with great care and tradition.

Kenya Ndiaini is made up of classic Kenyan varietals like SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11, and Batian. SL28 and SL34 are known for their bright acidity and clean flavors, while Ruiru 11 and Batian bring disease resistance and consistency. Together, they create a cup that’s lively, complex, and distinctively Kenyan.

The beans are processed using the fully washed method, a careful, multi-step process that involves pulping, fermenting, washing, and drying. This approach enhances the coffee’s natural brightness and ensures a clean, refined cup.

Traditionally, most Kenyan coffee is sold through the national auction system, where marketing agents enter lots from cooperatives and estates, and traders bid. While this system connects coffees to global buyers, it’s often been criticized for its lack of transparency, service issues, and volatile pricing, frustrations we’ve felt firsthand.

In recent years, we’ve taken a more direct approach. We now buy through a local Kenyan company that bids at the auction on our behalf. Before bidding, we cup samples — pre-selected by a trusted local cupper — to find coffees we truly love. This method allows us to support local businesses, streamline the supply chain, and move coffee more quickly from origin to roaster.