Fruity & Floral - Kenya Nyeri

100% Kenya, Nyeri, Tegu

VARIETALS: SL28, SL34

PROCESSING: Washed

ALTITUDE: 1700 m

FRUITY & FLORAL

Taste notes: Lime, grapefruit, black tea, brown sugar.

Kenya’s Tegu Factory, located in the Nyeri region at around 1,700 meters above sea level, benefits from a cool climate and volcanic soils that slow down the ripening of coffee cherries. This results in a clean, bright and well-defined cup profile.

What are SL coffees?

SL28 and SL34 are among Kenya’s most well-known coffee varieties, with an interesting origin rooted in colonial-era research. They were developed in the 1930s at Scott Agricultural Laboratories (S.A.L.), a research station under the British colonial administration. The “SL” comes from the name of the laboratory. The goal was to develop Arabica varieties that could thrive in Kenya’s diverse conditions without the need for intensive irrigation.

SL28 was selected for its drought resistance and deep root system, which helped it survive dry conditions. SL34, on the other hand, performs better in higher rainfall areas and often produces a slightly different, more intense flavour profile.

Over time, farmers realized that these varieties were not only resilient but also exceptionally high in quality. Especially in Kenya’s high-altitude regions, they produce coffees with bright acidity, fruitiness, and complexity. Today, SL28 and SL34 remain central to Kenyan coffee production.