| Country | |
|---|---|
| Continent | |
| Region | Machakos |
| Community Name | Mukuyuni FCS |
| Processing Method | |
| Arrival Date | July 2019 |
| Cupping Notes Upon Arrival | candied cherries, durian, orange peel, pineapple salsa, red pepper, Vanilla bean |
| Elevation | 1700 – 2000 MASL |
| Varietals | SL 28 |
| Flavor Profile | Savory, Tropical Fruit |
Mukuyuni means ‘fig tree’ in the Kamba Tribe. The oldest tree in the area was a fig tree, making this the ‘place of the fig tree’, and figs still are a feature in the area. This is NOT the Central Highlands, but the ocean-facing Eastern Provinces where you will find different profiles, different organizations, and – unfortunately – lower prices at auction. For these reasons this small 1000 member cooperative, which produces less than 3 containers a year, is both UTZ and FT certified. They are progressive, promoting organic techniques, providing transportation to members, and with a policy that at least half of their 10 member board must be female – when women making up less than 38% of membership in 2019. This board was recognized as the ‘best managed society with high production’ during the 2018 Ushirika celebrations, the same year it got the ‘best in rate payment to members’ award by miller and marketer Tropical Farm Management. Their office is clean. Their store room is clean. So are their washing channels, farms and records. It’s clear this group takes pride– pride you can see when visiting one of their pristine demonstration plots where they teach about crop diversification, organic farming, honey, cattle and poultry. The future of coffee in Kenya will come from outside of the Central Highlands; hopefully from groups like Mukuyuni.
