New Release | Ndiwa Estate, Kenya

On the back of our sourcing trip in March this year, we're excited to share that our highly anticipated shipment from Kenya has arrived. Containing four outstanding lots, all from single estates in the Kiambu and Murang’a regions, we're kicking things off with Ndiwa Estate, an exciting addition to our espresso menu.

Mwalimu Ndichu Kibe is a retired teacher who started coffee farming in 1965. His farm, situated in Nairobi, Kiambu County, is around 19 hectares. Mwalimu has his own small wet mill where he can process his coffee, ensuring full traceability back to his farm. Mwalimu’s long-term goal is to improve the quality of his coffee to access markets better and increase his livelihood. With increased returns from higher-quality coffee, he can better support his family.

This coffee is a showstopper when served black, displaying rich tropical fruit flavours and refreshing acid. Ndiwa Estate will impress diehard fans of Kenyan coffees and newcomers to the origin.

Driven to gain traceability further and deepen relationships at origin, we pursued a new buying strategy within our Kenya programme in 2022. We are still one of only a handful of roasters worldwide offering single estate Kenya lots this season through our trading partners KenyaCof. The recent establishment of Kahawa Bora Millers has made it possible for KenyaCof to highlight single estates by making it possible to mill smaller lots. Lot separation maintains traceability & is pivotal to the producer/roaster relationship, closing the feedback loop and offering brand identity to the farmer.

With help from Kahawa Bora, producers have access to training about improved pruning, cultivation and harvesting methods. Field staff perform soil analysis which helps improve yields and quality while reducing cost and environmental impact. This focus on high quality at all stages has increased cup scores quickly, resulting in better returns for the producers involved. We’re happy to be part of this supply chain and cannot wait to share these with the world again for a second year.