Kenya Ibonia Estate AA

Description

KENYA IBONIA ESTATE AA ORANGE FRUITS, GREEN APPLE, TANG, WHITE SUGAR Located just outside Kiambu town, about 13 km north of Nairobi, Ibonia Estate sits on deep red volcanic soils with a cool climate that slows cherry maturation and helps build cup complexity. The estate also preserves a large natural forest ecosystem and operates a water recirculation system to manage wastewater from processing. This lot is crisp, fruit-forward, and refreshing, with citrus sweetness and a green apple snap. BEAN DETAILS: ORIGIN: Kiambu PRODUCER: Ibonia Estate ELEVATION: 1,725 m.a.s.l. PROCESS: Kenya-style washed TASTING NOTES: orange fruits, green apple, tang, white sugar ROAST TYPE: Light Farm Level Ibonia Estate AA Region: Kiambu Producer: Ibonia Estate Variety: SL34 and Ruiru 11 Process: Kenya-style washed Elevation: 1,725 m.a.s.l. Ibonia Estate, also known as Imani, spans 197.5 hectares, with 114 hectares dedicated to forest, dams, marshland, roads, and worker housing. Located approximately 3 km from Kiambu town and 13 km north of Nairobi, the estate sits at 1,725 meters above sea level. Its deep, well-drained red volcanic soils, specifically Nitisols and Andosols, are highly fertile and well suited to coffee production. The climate is generally cool, with especially cold and wet conditions between May and July. These conditions slow cherry development and extend the maturation period, helping enhance cup quality. The estate cultivates two Arabica varieties: SL34 and Ruiru 11. Over a five-year average, production reaches approximately 157 tons. Around 20% of the harvest is classified as early crop, picked from April to August, while the remaining 80% is harvested as late crop between October and December. Processing begins with handpicked ripe red cherries, which are pulped on the day of harvest. The coffee undergoes full fermentation and washing before being thoroughly dried and stored in well-ventilated bins. To manage environmental impact, the estate operates an efficient water recirculation system made up of 16 lagoons in series, designed to purify wastewater from the pulping process. The estate’s natural forest ecosystem remains well preserved, supporting a rich diversity of flora and fauna across terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Farmers are encouraged to protect indigenous species, and the area is home to wildlife including snakes, deer, hares, weaverbirds, owls, and hawks. Native plant species such as fig, cordia, croton, and neem trees thrive throughout the property.