Introduction to Kenyan Coffee
When it comes to coffee production, Kenya is undoubtedly a top player. Kenyan coffee is known for its unique and distinct flavor profile that is rich, fruity, and full-bodied.
This quality coffee is grown on high mountains, and the soil conditions in the region are ideal for coffee growth, resulting in the production of some of the world’s best coffee. In this article, we will look at the growing conditions in Kenya, the flavor profile of Kenyan coffee, and some of the best Kenyan coffee brands you might want to try.
Kenyan Coffee Growing Conditions
Kenya’s coffee-growing region is on the eastern side of the country, surrounding Mount Kenya. The area lies about 1,500 meters above sea level, which makes it ideal for growing coffee.
Coffee beans grown at high altitudes mature slowly, resulting in a complex flavor profile. The fertile volcanic soil, combined with the long warm days and cool nights at high altitudes, results in an ideal environment for coffee growth.
Additionally, Kenya’s coffee-growing region is known for its excellent rainfall distribution, reducing the need for irrigation. With this perfect combination of altitude, weather, and soil conditions, it’s no wonder that Kenya boasts some of the world’s most unique and quality coffee.
Flavor Profile of Kenyan Coffee
Kenyan coffee is known for its distinct earthy and fruity flavors. This coffee’s flavor is often described as bold, possessing red wine, berry, and citrus notes.
Kenyan coffee has a full body and is known for its savory aroma. The earthy flavor of the coffee is attributed to the volcanic soil in which it is grown, and the fruity notes are due to the coffee cherry’s characteristic flavors.
The brewing method can bring out diverse and distinct flavors of Kenyan coffee, but it’s recommended to use a French press. The French press method helps maximize the coffee’s flavor, leading to a rich and full taste.
Top Kenyan Coffee Brands
1.
Volcanica Kenya AA Whole Coffee Beans
Volcanica Kenya AA Whole Coffee Beans is an award-winning coffee that comes from Mount Kenya. The beans produce a rich flavor profile that includes a distinct taste of raspberries, cranberries, and redwood.
This coffee is known for its savoriness, which makes it ideal to enjoy as a morning cup. 2.
Cooper’s Cask Kenyan Coffee Beans
Cooper’s Cask Kenyan Coffee Beans come from the Nyeri region in Kenya’s coffee-growing region. They are a bourbon varietal and feature a chocolate cherry flavor, with a sweet and tangy aroma.
Cooper’s Cask Kenyan Coffee Beans give you a feeling of sophisticated luxury with every sip. 3.
Henry’s House of Coffee Kenya Beans (Light)
Henry’s House of Coffee Kenya Beans (Light) is a light roast coffee that brings out the savory vanilla, berry, and lemon flavor notes of Kenyan coffee. This coffee has a crisp acidity, making it refreshing and perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
4.
Java House Kenya Coffee-Beans
Java House Kenya Coffee-Beans is an estate coffee from the Thika region in Kenya’s coffee-growing region. The coffee features fruity and spicy notes, while also possessing a mild chocolate flavor that provides a fantastic coffee experience.
5. Gevalia Special Reserve Kenya Ground Coffee
Gevalia Special Reserve Kenya Ground Coffee is a medium roast coffee that features cherry flavors and floral notes.
This coffee is rich and smooth, making it a great coffee to try for those who prefer a more delicate, yet complex coffee. 6.
Coffee Bean Direct Kenya AA
Coffee Bean Direct Kenya AA is sourced from the Kirinyaga region in Kenya’s coffee-growing region. The coffee has a rich cherry taste complemented by earthy tones, which provides a bold and complex coffee experience.
The coffee has inconsistent roasting levels in the same bag, making it a challenge to ensure that each cup is of the same taste profile.
Conclusion
Kenyan coffee is one of the world’s most famous coffee regions, and for a good reason. The coffee farming conditions in Kenya provide an ideal environment for coffee growth resulting in some of the world’s most distinct and unique coffee flavors.
Volcanica Kenya AA Whole Coffee Beans, Cooper’s Cask Kenyan Coffee Beans, Henry’s House of Coffee Kenya Beans (Light),
Java House Kenya Coffee-Beans, Gevalia Special Reserve Kenya Ground Coffee, and Coffee Bean Direct Kenya AA make for a great starting point for anyone looking to try Kenyan coffee. Don’t take our word for it, try one or all of the brands, and we guarantee that you won’t regret it.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Kenyan Coffee Beans
Kenyan coffee is among the most highly sought-after coffee in the world, thanks to its unique and distinct flavor. However, with so many different types of Kenyan coffee beans on the market, it can be challenging to know which one to choose.
We’ve put together a buyer’s guide to help you navigate the world of Kenyan coffee and find the best beans for your taste and budget.
Flavor Profile and Roast Level
Kenyan coffee is grown at high altitudes, which results in a complex flavor profile and vivid, fully-bodied cups. The flavor profile includes fruity and spicy notes and is often described as having a bright acidity, making it an ideal coffee to enjoy in the morning.
For those who enjoy a darker roast, Kenyan coffee also tastes great when roasted at a darker level. When shopping for Kenyan coffee beans, consider your taste preference and the roast level of the beans.
Lighter roasts that have a fruity and bright taste profile with higher acidity, and are ideal for sipping on their own or in medium-sized pour-overs. A medium roast tends to have slightly lower acidity and more complex notes such as nuttiness, herbal flavour, or dark chocolate.
Dark roasts are full-bodied and provide more pronounced chocolate and caramel notes, which pair well with milk in a latte or cappuccino.
Price and Quality
The quality of Kenyan coffee makes it more expensive than other types of coffee. This is because growing and processing Kenyan coffee is labour-intensive and requires special processing methods.
Additionally, the country’s high elevations and perfect climatic conditions require more work to create the ideal coffee beans. As a result, high-quality Kenyan coffee can be pricey.
However, it’s worth noting that there are affordable and high-quality Kenyan coffee bean options on the market. It may take a bit of research to find them, but they do exist.
Look for brands that carefully select their coffee beans, focusing on quality and flavor over quantity. It is best to go for single origin coffee, that comes from one farm or co-op, where processing is transparent and customers can identify beans’ origin.
Recommendation: Our Top Picks!
Volcanica Kenya AA Whole Coffee Beans
Volcanica Kenya AA Whole Coffee Beans are among the best in the market, with many awards to their name. The beans come from Mount Kenya, where the high altitude, climate, and soil contribute to a superior coffee flavor profile.
The beans produce a rich and complex cup of coffee, featuring sweet and tangy fruit notes like raspberries and cranberries. Additionally, the coffee has a savoriness that makes for a unique and enjoyable coffee experience.
Cooper’s Cask Kenyan Coffee Beans
Cooper’s Cask Kenyan Coffee Beans are of a bourbon varietal and are sourced from the Nyeri region in Kenya’s coffee-growing area. The beans provide an exceptional coffee flavor profile, with a rich chocolate cherry flavor and a sweet and tangy aroma.
The coffee’s mild and well-balanced acidity makes for an excellent coffee experience.
Java House Kenya Coffee-Beans
Java House Kenya Coffee-Beans are an affordable yet high-quality option for those looking to try Kenyan coffee. The beans come from the Thika region in Kenya’s coffee-growing area and offer fruity and spicy notes and a mild chocolate flavor.
This coffee provides a good drinking experience, no matter your taste preference. These three brands are among the many in the Kenyan coffee market.
They stand out for their quality and flavor profile and offer different taste variations that you can explore.
Budget Pick and Summary
If you’re looking for an affordable, high-quality Kenyan coffee option, we recommend Java House. This brand offers excellent, fruity, and spicy coffee notes at an affordable price point, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants a unique coffee experience but doesn’t want to break the bank.
Including Java House, you can find many options may you be in the mood for dark, medium, or light roast. In conclusion, finding the perfect Kenyan coffee depends on evaluating your taste preference, researching quality and origin to ensure you get the best beans, and finding a reputable brand that provides the flavor profile that you’re looking for.
Take the time to explore different brands and experiment with different roasting levels. Trust us, the result is a wonderful coffee experience, with flavors that you’ll crave every morning.
Kenyan coffee is widely recognized as some of the best coffee in the world, thanks to its unique and complex flavor profile, with fruity, spicy, and savory notes. To find the best Kenyan coffee beans, it’s essential to consider the roast level and flavor profile, and the price and quality when making a purchase.
Our recommended top picks include Volcanica Kenya AA, Cooper’s Cask Kenya AA, and
Java House Kenya Coffee-Beans. However, it’s essential to remember that there are many other high-quality Kenyan coffee brands, and finding the perfect coffee depends on your taste preference and research.
A good cup of Kenyan coffee offers a unique and memorable experience that is well worth the investment.