Kenyan coffee voted the best by lead taster
Nyeri governor Nderitu Gachagua samples a cup of coffee at one of the stands at Wambugu Farm during a farmers' field day in Nyeri on July 26, 2014. Kenya coffee beans have been voted the world’s highest rated coffee and espresso respectively this year. PHOTO | FILE| JOSEPH KANYI
What you need to know:
- The Rukira AB beans from Nyeri and marketed as Kakalove Café’ scored 95 points while AA Top 405A espresso marketed by Taiwan’s Simon Hsieh’s Aroma Roast Coffees based in Taoyuan City emerged the highest rated with 95 points.
- Kenyan coffee was used to blend others who then market it as theirs.
Kenya coffee beans have been voted the world’s highest rated coffee and espresso respectively this year.
The just-released news by Coffeereview.com says Kenyan-sourced coffee beans dominated the 30 top position of the most expensive coffees sold. The country came at par with Ethiopia in seven brands.
The Rukira AB beans from Nyeri and marketed as Kakalove Café’ scored 95 points while AA Top 405A espresso marketed by Taiwan’s Simon Hsieh’s Aroma Roast Coffees based in Taoyuan City emerged the highest rated with 95 points.
According to Coffee Review editor and lead taster Kenneth Davids, Kenyan brands were selected based on quality, value (reflected by most affordable price per pound) “and a ranking of other factors including distinctiveness and uniqueness of style, certifications such as fair trade or organic, and general rarity.” The most expensive coffee on the list sold at Sh10,440 ($120) per half a kilogramme.
VALUE ADDITION
Kenyan coffee was used to blend others who then market it as theirs.
Other origins with multiple coffees on the list are Panama (three), Colombia (three), Nicaragua (three), and Sumatra (two). Two coffees grown in the United States made the list: One from Kona in Hawaii, as well as another first commercially grown in California.
Meanwhile, farmers could soon earn more once Kenyan coffee is roasted and branded locally before being sold to overseas buyers.
The Coffee Board of Kenya said it had registered the Kenya Coffee brand name ahead of the planned value addition launch that is supported by the European Union.
The quality coffee production and commercialisation support programme in Kenya is facilitating establishment of regional cupping centres which will form part of an elaborate inspection and certification protocol.
Kenya Coffee Traders Association has since announced plans to establish a new auction system that will ensure growers earn more from sale of the world’s best product.
