Kenya – Gachatha AA

The community behind Gachatha coffee

Coffee processed at Gachatha comes from smallholder farmers in the surrounding hills, growing coffee on small plots of land. Harvesting is done entirely by hand, with a strong focus on selecting only fully ripe cherries. The region has two harvest seasons – a smaller one from June to August, and the main crop from October to March, mostly coming from higher-altitude farms.

The station is one of the key processing centers in the region and operates within a community cooperative structure. Together with local farmers, it forms the foundation for sustainable coffee production and supports the local economy.

How is the coffee from Gachatha processed?

After harvest, the ripe cherries are brought to the station, where they are processed using the washed method. Once the skin and mucilage are removed, the coffee undergoes fermentation and is then washed with clean water. The station uses water sourced from nearby, which is pumped into storage tanks using electric pumps.

Varieties

This coffee is a blend of four varieties commonly found on Kenyan farms:
SL28 and SL34 – historically developed in Kenya, known for their acidity, depth of flavor, and ability to reflect the conditions in which they are grown.
Ruiru 11 and Batian – modern varieties bred for disease resistance and yield stability, without compromising cup quality.