Kenyan coffee is one of the best in the world. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is a good time as any. You might have some questions about Kenyan coffee and this space is dedicated to clearing those doubts. First, let’s answer the most basic question.
What is Kenyan coffee? Kenyan coffee is coffee you get from the highlands of Kenya. Kenyan coffee is known for its richer body, intense flavor, and also its stunning aroma. The coffee carries a slight berry undertone but it’s the acidity of the coffee that hits you like a truck. Kenyan coffee is an excellent choice for anyone who wants an intense cup of quality coffee.
Is Kenyan Coffee The Best?
Kenyan coffee is one of the best coffees in the world. In our opinion, it is one of the top 3 coffees you can get. The intense coffee flavor is probably the main reason why it remains one of the best-tasting coffees. The coffee also has a rich body that will make you fall in love with black coffee.
If you’re used to flavored coffee, you will enjoy the coffee experience with Kenyan coffee.
What Does Kenyan Coffee Taste Like?
Kenyan coffee comes with a good level of acidity, an intense flavor, a rich aroma, and a nice body. The taste is pretty complex but you will get berry undertones that are overpowered by the coffee’s acidity. Some might even get some citrusy notes in their cup of coffee.
If you’re a fan of acidic coffees, then Kenyan coffee is as good as it gets. It is more acidic than Ethiopian coffee which speaks volumes about its quality.
If you want to try a strong cup of black coffee, then Kenyan coffee is your best bet. For people who already like black coffee, Kenyan coffee can help you rekindle your original love for the drink.
Is Kenyan Coffee Robusta or Arabica?
Kenyan coffee is Arabica. Conditions in Kenya are perfect for the cultivation of the Arabica coffee bean type. Kenyan coffee beans are of very high quality, thanks to the Government’s involvement in producing the world’s best coffee beans.
When it comes to Kenyan coffee beans, cultivation is done at an elevation of around 1400 to 2000m. The soil is also fertile volcanic soil. All these conditions are perfect for Arabica coffee bean cultivation and harvest.
Why Is Kenyan Coffee So Expensive?
Kenyan coffee is expensive because of the quality of the grade AA and AB beans and also because of the global demand. The fact that Kenyan coffee beans are some of the best in the world also helps merchants charge a premium price.
Kenyan coffees are nothing short of an amazing experience when you take the first sip. If you are looking for cheaper varieties, you will be able to get some as there are many grades like PB, E, AA, AB, C, T, TT, and MH/ML.
Why Is Kenyan Coffee So Good?
Kenyan coffee is so good because of its flavor profile. The intense acidity in the Kenyan bean makes for a strong cup of coffee with berry undertones. Thanks to the complex flavor profile, you can enjoy your Kenyan coffee both hot and cold.
Whether you are going to make a cold brew or use your French press, Kenyan coffee will give you the same result and that’s a damn good cup of coffee.
What Is The Best Coffee Brand In Kenya?
Here are the best Kenyan coffee brands:
Volcanica Kenya AA Coffee
Volcanica Kenya AA coffee is probably the best Kenyan coffee you’ll get your hands on.
The fruity and earthy tones you get from this high-end Kenyan AA coffee is a testament to the fact that these are indeed from highlands ranging from 5000 to 6800 feet altitude.
If you’re looking for a decaf version, Volcanica Kenya AA has got you covered. But be warned that it can be a bit expensive!
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Kenyan Highlands
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is yet another reputed brand you can go with your eyes closed.
The complex taste you get in Volcanica coffee might be missing in this one, but it still manages to get the core correct and you won’t regret giving your tastebuds a sip of this Kenyan coffee.
Java House Kenyan AA Coffee
Java House is a solid choice when it comes to Kenyan coffee.
A lighter roast makes this blend quite different from the other two options we’ve seen above. But thanks to exactly that, you can enjoy the fruity notes on this coffee better. You can even pick the spicy flavor in the coffee if you’re looking for it.
If you’re looking for a more acidic coffee, then you can’t go wrong with this one. Unfortunately, Java House is a bit expensive and may not be for all. But if you can afford it, you will have a good time with your cup of joe.
Screen 18 Specialty Grade Kenyan AA Coffee
Another Kenya AA coffee that makes this exclusive list.
Screen 18 specialty coffee might be on the expensive side, but it manages to bring a very good cup of coffee to your table.
The complex taste notes can impress even the most strict connoisseur of the drink. If you’re looking for a neat little cup of coffee that will take your coffee-drinking experience to an exquisite place, then this one is a good choice.
Starbucks Medium Roast Kenya African Blend
A name that’s very familiar to half the globe.
But can you really trust Starbucks to bring coffee from Kenya?
Well, we have to say, they do a pretty good job.
The medium roast coffee compares well with Kenya AA coffees and you won’t regret buying it. If you’re looking for something that’s not too fancy and also inexpensive at the same time, then this one might be the one for you.
All the brands mentioned above give you high-quality Kenyan coffee beans.
These brands procure their coffee from the local coffee industry. The local coffee production is two-thirds from the small-scale coffee farmer while the rest is from bigger plantations.
So when you buy these brands, you can also be proud of supporting local small-time farmers and their love for Kenya coffee beans.
Is Starbucks Kenya Coffee Being Discontinued?
Starbucks’ Kenya African Blend is available at their coffee At Home portal. You can also get the same from Amazon here. Though there was temporary discontinuation, Kenyan coffee is back at Starbucks and you can gladly make your favorite coffee in the comfort of your home.
Is Kenya Famous For Coffee?
Kenya is the home of one of the world’s best coffees. The Arabica coffee beans grown in the highlands of Kenya are top quality thanks to the conditions that favor coffee cultivation.
Coffee is grown in the regions of Mt. Kenya, Ruiru, Kirinyaga, Thika, Nyeri, Muranga, and Kiambu.
Thanks to the high elevation of 1400 to 2000m, the coffee plant grows slowly and takes all the time it needs to develop. This slow-growing process also imparts a ton of nutrients in the coffee.
The fertile volcanic soil and the consistent rainfall also play a big role in the overall flavor of Kenyan coffee beans.
Related Read: Japanese Canned Coffee
Is Kenyan Coffee Dark?
Kenyan coffee can be anywhere between light and medium roasted. For the best balance, you should go for Kenyan coffee that is medium-roasted. With a medium roast, you get an intense coffee that is accompanied by a fuller body and rich aroma.
Regardless of the roast, the coffee will carry the same level of acidity which is also one of its distinct features. You will also not fail to notice the berry notes in your coffee.
Is Kenyan Coffee Acidic?
Kenyan coffee is the best acidic coffee you can get. It comes with a bright acidic flavor with a rich body and intense aroma. The flavor profile also contains berry and citrus notes making it one of the most complex coffees.
If you’re a fan of acidic coffee, then fresh roasted Kenyan coffee is worth every single penny. But if you’re not a fan of acidic coffee, then stay farther away from Kenyan coffee as it comes with some in-your-face acidity levels.
If you like acidic coffee, but find Kenyan beans to be a bit too acidic, you can always add some milk or other additives to balance out the acidity level in your coffee.
Closing Thoughts
Kenya is one of the best single origin coffee-growing countries out there. African coffee is known for its diverse taste profiles and Kenyan coffee is up there in terms of flavor and strength.
As a coffee lover, you must try Kenyan coffee at least once in your lifetime. You can go for the Kenya AA bean or the Kenya Peaberry coffee as both offer a pretty balanced taste.
Mount Kenya is a great place for growing coffee and you can see the results in your cup of joe. Thanks to good practices, you can support coffee farming and coffee farmers in Kenya by going with the right brands.
If you have any more questions about Kenyan coffee or coffee bean, you know where to find us. Till then, happy coffee times!