Gatuya

Description

Tastes Like:

Origin: Gatuya, Muranga, Kenya

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

Producer: New Murarandia F.C.S

Elevation: 1,850 masl

Process: Washed

About the Farm and the Coffee

Gatuya is a coffee washing station in Murang'a County operated by the New Murarandia Farmers Cooperative Society. Established in 1962, it serves smallholder growers in the valley around the Kahatia–Murarandia road.

Members deliver ripe cherries for centralized sorting and washed processing. This AA selection is separated by bean size after processing; the grade identifies a physical screen-size category.

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.