Ndarugo Ward, Kiambu, Kenya

Description

Farm
Bnivaans Estate

Producer
James Kungu Kariuki aka Bob

Country
Kenya

Region
Ndarugo Ward, Kiambu

Process
Washed

Variety
SL28, SL34, Batian, Ruiru 11

Notes
Grapefruit, Lemon, Pecan

Elevation
1930 MASL

Harvest
November 2025 - January 2026

Arrival into Australia
May 2026

Bnivaans Estate owned by James Kungu Kariuki aka Bob. Its located just east of Gitwe, in the Gatundu South Sub County, in Kiambu. We are loving coffees from this region, with Gititu being a previous favorite this season. Bobs farm and processing station lies between 1930M above sea level. He’s harvesting SL-34, SL-28, Batian, & Ruiru 11 on the estate.

At Bnivaans Estate, cherry is selectively handpicked, before being pulped on the farms small disc pulper. Coffee is dry fermented for 24 hours and, after being washed, soaks in clean water for a further 24 hours. After soaking, the wet parchment is moved to raised drying beds where they are dried for 10 to 18 days, based on the weather.

We were lucky to get two size separations from Bnivaans this season. The AA & PB.

The AA shows an interesting Washed profile. On the nose is slightly tea-like Lemon verbena, with a green tinge to the citrus component. It expands into a bigger, tart Grapefruit and pomelo middle palate. The finish is unique, could be perceived as floral and nutty Pecan as the cup cools.

After some back-and-forth with Dormans about this coffee, they have provided the following details about Bnivaans estate.

"The farm owner is named James Kungu Kariuki, but among friends and community his name is Bob, which is a name he got when he joined high school, by 3 students that joked that his name sound like Bob Marley (not sure how they got there) but ever since that he's been know as Bob.

Bnivaans Estate lies on the Coffee - Tea transition zone close to the Aberdare range. Soils are red volcanic and well-drained; therefore, the climate is ideal for coffee production. Reliable bimodal rainfall and temperature range of 14-26 c.

Reliable bi modal rainfall of above 1400mm per annum is characteristic of these high altitude regions around the Aberdare Ranges, which are transition zones for coffee and tea. The long rains fall between March and May while the short rains come between October and December.

Some of its distinction can be attributed to topographic and climatic conditions, but as always, there are people engaged – from picking coffee cherries to processing; both crucial to the quality of the product. People make the difference.

Bob has been farming coffee since 2011 when he inherited a portion of his farm from his uncle. He takes immense pride in cultivating and processing high-quality coffees. The farm was named after Bobs son who he lost in a devastating accident. Over time, he has purchased additional land, increasing his farm by about 40%."

Import Partner: Cafe Imports
Harvest: November 2025 - January 2026
Arrival into Australia: May 2026
All our coffees are sold as whole beans.

Text from Anamorphic Coffee's listing.