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New Single Origin Coffee: Kenya Oaklands Estate PB
In the six years of us roasting, this is only the 2nd time that we carried the Peaberry coffee and this is by far, the best tasting ones that we have ever come to know. Roasting it is no easy feat. Every roasters worth their salt will know the huge challenge they faced while roasting any peaberry coffees, and in this case harder with coffee coming from an origin like Kenya. Being smaller in size, and usually too 'hardy' or denser, charging it at a higher temperature will result in a surface scorching but at the same time, too low a charged temperature will result in poor development that will also not allow the Peaberry to 'open up' in the centre cut. Either way, it is a catch-21 situation for roasters. The trick to this is sufficient air-flow at the start, a lot more during the 1st crack and letting it ramp up nice and slow until the end of the roast. Here in Dutch Colony, we roast it light to keep the vibrancy of the fruity Kenya and allowing it to showcase it's unique flavour profile of 'Ribena' like Blackcurrant with a Hibiscus tea finish.
(Cherry pickers who are highly trained to only pick ripe, red cherries)
Oaklands Estate is one of Kenya’s oldest and largest coffee farms. Dating from colonial times, the farm was long owned by the Socfinaf Company, Kenya’s largest coffee plantation company at the time, which owned some twelve estates spread over 37,960 acres. The company, for many years, was one of only three licensed milling agents in Kenya and had significant influence over the development of the coffee sector in the country.
The estate lies at a fairly level altitude of 1,575 metres above sea level. The soil is of the deep red volcanic type so common to the region. This area of Kenya has two distinct rainy seasons: March through May and October through December. Irrigation water is used to supplement the needs of the coffee farm in between seasons. The famous Ruiru River and two dams (Karimu and Bradgate) provide good access to water year round, and four boreholes scattered around the farm ensure that there is always sufficient water for domestic and processing use.
(Estate Manager, Levine Nyakundi)
(Estate Manager, Levine Nyakundi)
The estate is currently overseen by Levine Nyakundi, who works closely with CMS to ensure best practices are carried out. There are 3 administrative staff and 66 permanent workers year-round, all of whom are housed with their families on the farm itself. This substantial work force grows to around 700 people during the peak of the harvest season.
(Peaberry, makes about 5% of coffee harvested that experienced this peculiarity)
In the six years of us roasting, this is only the 2nd time that we carried the Peaberry coffee and this is by far, the best tasting ones that we have ever come to know. Roasting it is no easy feat. Every roasters worth their salt will know the huge challenge they faced while roasting any peaberry coffees, and in this case harder with coffee coming from an origin like Kenya.
Being smaller in size, and usually too 'hardy' or denser, charging it at a higher temperature will result in a surface scorching but at the same time, too low a charged temperature will result in poor development that will also not allow the Peaberry to 'open up' in the centre cut. Either way, it is a catch-21 situation for roasters. The trick to this is sufficient air-flow at the start, a lot more during the 1st crack and letting it ramp up nice and slow until the end of the roast. Here in Dutch Colony, we roast it light to keep the vibrancy of the fruity Kenya and allowing it to showcase it's unique flavour profile of 'Ribena' like Blackcurrant with a Hibiscus tea finish.
If tasting it through our SP9 filter bar in the shops is not enough and experience, purchased it (online or from the shops) and geek out at the information below to make your brewing experience a much enjoyable one:
KENYA OAKLANDS ESTATE PB
| Â Farm: | Oaklands Estate PB |
| Varietal(s): | SL28, Ruiru 11, Batian & K7 |
| Processing: | Fully washed& dried on raised beds |
| Altitude: | 1,575 metres above sea level |
| Managed by: | Coffee Management Services |
| Town: | Ruiru |
| Region: | Kiambu County |
| Country: | Kenya |
| Total size of farm: | 621.17 hectares |
| Area under coffee: | 377.9 hectares |
| Tasting Notes: | Mulberry Tea, Blackcurrant, Hibiscus |
Brew it like Dutch Colony:
