Gachatha

Description

Tastes Like: Grapefruit, Berries, Black Currant

Origin: Gachatha, Nyeri, Kenya

Variety: SL-34, SL-28, Ruiru-11, Batian

Producer: Gachatha F.C.S

Elevation: 1,820 masl

Process: Washed

About the Farm and the Coffee

Gachatha is a washing station in Nyeri County on the slopes of the Aberdare mountains. Established in 1963, it later became part of the independent Gachatha Farmers Cooperative Society in 1999. Smallholders from surrounding villages deliver cherries for centralized preparation. The cooperative encourages shade planting and uses wastewater soak pits positioned away from local streams.

Variety

Batian is a Kenyan selection released in 2010, developed for resistance to coffee leaf rust and coffee berry disease. It brings together several breeding lines, illustrating how disease resilience and specialty-coffee production can be pursued together.

SL28 was selected in Kenya in the 1930s and has since spread to other coffee-growing countries. It combines drought tolerance with high cup-quality potential; growing conditions and post-harvest work shape the expression of each lot.

SL34 was selected in Kenya at Scott Agricultural Laboratories. Genetic research places it in the Typica-related group, and it is valued for its quality potential at altitude. Its character varies with the farm and processing method.

Ruiru 11 is a compact Kenyan hybrid developed to combine productive growth with resistance to coffee leaf rust and coffee berry disease. Its breeding also drew on varieties selected for cup quality.

Processing

In washed processing, the fruit pulp and remaining mucilage are removed before the coffee is dried. This approach often emphasizes a defined structure and separation of flavors, while fermentation and drying choices still influence the result.

Text from Hydrangea Coffee Roasters' listing.