Producer: Kariua Farmer's Cooperative

Region: Muranga

Elevation: 1340-1950 masl

Variety: SL28, Sl34, Ruiru 11, Batian

Process: Washed

Tasting Notes: Red grape, cherry, grapefruit, molasses 

Mutitu Factory is one of four operated by the Kariua Farmers Cooperative Society, which has a total membership of 2,200 smallholder farmers representing about 666 hectares of coffee farmland.

Coffee in Kenya is typically traceable down to the factory, or mill level. Most farmers own between 1/8 to 1/4 of a hectare and typically grow crops other than coffee as well, which means they rely on a central mill for sale and processing of their coffee. Producers deliver in cherry form to a factory, where the cooperative will sort, weigh, and issue payment for the delivery. The coffee is then blended with the rest of the day's deliveries and goes on to be processed. Because of this system, which serves many hundreds to several thousands of smallholder farmers per factory, there is limited traceability down to the individual producers whose coffee comprises the lots.