Kenya Kiambu Yara Peaberry: SL28 & SL34 Washed

If you’ve ever wondered why Kenya’s peaberry coffees command such high scores and fetch premium prices, the answer lies in both genetics and growing conditions—along with careful processing. This lot from Yara Estate in the Kiambu region is a prime example: a rare peaberry selection of Kenya’s iconic SL28 and SL34 varieties, grown at high elevation with meticulous care.

The short answer? This Kenya Kiambu Yara Peaberry is a washed AA-grade lot grown at 1732 metres altitude, featuring SL28 and SL34, scored 93 by Coffee Review, with vibrant notes of dark fruit, grapefruit, and citrus acidity. It’s the same batch sent for professional evaluation—packaged in foil-lined vacuum bags and shipped directly from origin.

What Is a Kenya Peaberry?

A peaberry occurs when a coffee cherry produces just one rounded seed instead of the usual two flat beans. These peas—about 5% of any given harvest—are often smaller, denser, and thought to roast more evenly and develop more concentrated flavour. In Kenya, where cup quality is already exceptionally high, peaberries are especially prized.

Yara Estate: Origin Details

The Yara Estate is located in Kenya’s Central Province, in the Kiambu region, at an elevation of 1732 metres above sea level. This area benefits from annual rainfall between 988 and 1300 millimetres, well-distributed throughout the growing season. The estate grows coffee on deep red soils with excellent drainage—an essential factor in healthy root development and high-quality cherry formation.

The farm cultivates both SL28 and SL34, two of Kenya’s most celebrated coffee varieties, developed by the Scott Laboratories (SL) in the 1930s. These cultivars are renowned for their exceptional cup complexity, bright acidity, and ability to express terroir with remarkable clarity.

Processing That Enhances Quality

This lot is processed using the classic Kenyan washed method. After harvest, ripe cherries are depulped and fermented underwater for around 48 hours to break down the mucilage. They are then thoroughly washed and soaked in clean water for an additional 24 hours. This extended fermentation and soaking cycle is critical to developing the wine-like acidity and juicy sweetness for which Kenya coffees are known.

The clean, bright profile achieved through this method pairs perfectly with the inherent qualities of the SL28 and SL34 varieties. Following processing, the beans are dried on raised beds under controlled conditions to preserve their delicate attributes.

Why This Lot Stands Out

This particular Yara Estate peaberry lot was submitted to Coffee Review’s September Kenya tasting feature—and earned a prestigious 93-point score. That evaluation was conducted on the same pre-shipment batch now available, ensuring consistency from cupping table to your brew. The beans were packaged in situ in foil-lined vacuum-sealed bags to preserve freshness and shipped directly, minimising transit time and exposure to fluctuating conditions.

The shipment arrives in 30-kilogram boxes, with each box containing two 15-kilogram inner packs, standard for high-volume specialty lots destined for roasters seeking top-tier Kenyan beans with traceable provenance.

Flavour Profile

Expect a vibrant cup brimming with dark fruit notes, alongside the tangy brightness of citrus. Highlights include raisin-like depth, grapefruit sweetness, and hints of guava. The acidity is crisp and grapefruit-like, balancing the richer fruit tones and contributing to a dynamic, sweet finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Kenya Yara Estate’s peaberry different from regular coffee beans?

Peaberries are single round seeds formed when only one bean develops inside a coffee cherry, rather than the usual two flat beans. They tend to be denser, roast more evenly, and often have a more concentrated flavour. At Yara Estate, these peaberries come from the SL28 and SL34 varieties, adding complexity and brightness typical of high-altitude Kenyan coffees.

What is the elevation of the Yara Estate, and why does it matter?

The Yara Estate sits at 1732 metres above sea level. Higher elevations slow coffee cherry maturation, allowing more complex flavours and acids to develop. The cooler temperatures also contribute to a harder bean density, which is ideal for retaining quality during roasting and brewing.

Which coffee varieties are used in this Kenya Kiambu Yara Peaberry lot?

This lot is made up exclusively of the SL28 and SL34 varieties, both developed by Kenya’s Scott Laboratories in the 1930s. SL28 is known for its deep, winey acidity and notes of blackcurrant, while SL34 adds bright citrus character and robust structure—both are pillars of Kenya’s specialty coffee reputation.

How was this coffee processed, and what impact does that have on flavour?

It underwent a traditional Kenyan washed process: depulping, 48-hour underwater fermentation, washing, and a further 24-hour soak in clean water. This method enhances clarity, brightness, and fruity sweetness—key traits in the final cup profile of citrus, grapefruit, and dark fruit.

Has this coffee been professionally scored?

Yes. The exact same lot was submitted to Coffee Review’s September Kenya tasting and received a 93-point score, reflecting its outstanding cup quality, balance, and complexity. The beans offered are from the same pre-shipment batch.

How are the beans packaged and shipped?

The coffee is packaged in foil-lined vacuum bags at origin to preserve freshness and shipped in 30-kilogram boxes (two 15-kilogram packs each). This packaging and direct-from-origin approach ensures minimal exposure to air and temperature fluctuations during transit.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Peaberry Fans

For drinkers drawn to Kenya’s peaberry brightness and complex acidity, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Kenya Little Tomato—a washed SL28 and SL34 lot with notes of tomato leaf, lime, blackcurrant, and brown sugar. Also consider FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Huakui for another vibrant, high-acid experience with stone fruit and bergamot. Both showcase the distinct qualities of African heirloom varieties. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.