Knowledge of Fine Coffee beans-- the unique taste of Kenyan coffee from Kenya

Coffee arrived in Kenya in the 19th century, when Ethiopian coffee drinks were imported to Kenya via South Yemen. But it wasn't until the early 20th century that Bourbon coffee trees were introduced by St. Austin's Mission (St. Austin Mission) was introduced.

Kenyan coffee is mostly grown at altitudes of 1,500 to 2,100 meters and harvested twice a year. To make sure only ripe berries are picked, people have to make about seven rounds through the woods. Kenyan coffee is grown by smallholders who harvest the coffee and send it fresh to cooperative washing stations, where the washed, dried coffee is sent to cooperatives in the state of "parchment beans"(i.e. beans coated with an endocarp)("parchment beans" are the final state of the beans before peeling). All coffees are collected together and growers charge average prices based on their actual quality. This method of buying and selling generally works well and is fair to both growers and consumers.

The Kenyan government takes the coffee industry extremely seriously, and it is illegal to cut down or destroy coffee trees here. Kenya's coffee buyers are world-class buyers of premium coffee, and no country grows, produces and sells coffee as continuously as Kenya. All coffee beans are first acquired by the Coffee Board of Kaeya (CBK), where they are appraised, graded and then sold at weekly auctions, where they are no longer graded. The Kenya Coffee Board acts only as an agent, collecting coffee samples and distributing them to buyers so that they can determine price and quality. Nairobi auctions are held for private exporters and the Kenya Coffee Board pays growers below-market prices. The best coffee grade is PB, followed by AA++, AA+, AA, AB, etc., in that order. Fine coffee is shiny, delicious and slightly aromatic.

The auction is also organized to meet the needs of the distributor. These auctions usually sell small quantities (3 - 6 tons each) and have samples bearing the grower's logo for buyers to appreciate. After auction, exporters pack according to different flavors, different qualities and quantities required by blenders. This provides a great deal of flexibility for the deployer. Quality-conscious germans and nordics are long-term buyers of kenyan coffee.

On an international scale, the growth in Kenyan coffee volumes was remarkable, with exports rising from 800,000 bags in 1969 - 70 to 2 million bags in 1985 - 86. Production is now stable at 1.6 million bags, averaging about 650 kg per hectare.

The average price of coffee in Kenya has been rising since before the recent spike. Prices in 1993 - 1994 were 50 percent higher than they had been twelve months earlier. Price increases are mainly the result of increased demand.

Some buyers, especially Japanese ones, have complained about Kenya's coffee system. Some traders say the quality of coffee in the country has declined, pointing out that buying directly from farmers may be one way to improve quality. Either way, kenya's detailed regulations and procedures are a model for all coffee-producing countries.