KENYA - ENDEBESS - NATURAL

OVERVIEW:
Kenya Endebess Natural offers a vibrant expression of Rift Valley terroir, combining the elegance of Kenyan altitude with the bold, fruit-forward character of natural processing. Grown at the foot of Mount Elgon, this lot is sun-dried on raised beds and carefully turned by hand to achieve optimal fermentation and clarity. The result is a juicy, tropical cup layered with depth and structure—classic Kenya with a playful twist.

PRODUCERS:
This lot comes from Endebess Estate, a 248-hectare coffee farm in Trans Nzoia County, owned by Kaitet Tea Plantations. The estate has a long history of producing and milling coffee, dating back to the 1940s. Today, Kaitet is focused on social responsibility and sustainability, investing in staff housing, student education, and infrastructure improvements as the farm continues to modernise.

ALTITUDE AND LOCATION:
Situated between 1,750 and 1,950 meters above sea level in Kenya’s Northern Rift Valley, Endebess benefits from fertile volcanic soils, consistent rainfall, and a cool climate—all ideal for Arabica cultivation. The farm lies at the base of Mount Elgon, an extinct shield volcano straddling the border of Kenya and Uganda, near the Koitobos River which supplies fresh water for processing.

PROCESSING – NATURAL (SUN-DRIED):
Cherries are hand-picked at peak ripeness and dried in the sun on raised beds for 21–28 days. Workers turn the cherries at least four times a day to ensure even drying, prevent over-fermentation, and enhance flavour development. Once dried, the beans are hulled and graded to Kenya’s rigorous quality standards, ready for export.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
Coffee may have arrived late to Kenya, but its impact has been profound. Introduced by French missionaries in 1893, the crop quickly became central to colonial export markets. Though large estates flourished under British rule, indigenous Kenyans were denied the right to grow coffee until the 1950s. Today, more than 600,000 smallholders produce nearly 70% of Kenya’s coffee, and systems like the Nairobi Coffee Exchange help ensure pricing transparency and reward quality. Endebess Estate’s legacy bridges these eras—combining historical depth, modern processing, and social progress in every cup.

Kenya Endebess Natural is a lively and nuanced coffee with both depth and brilliance. We roast it on the lighter side to preserve its juicy tropical acidity while showcasing the rich chocolate and soft whiskey notes in the finish. Ideal as a single origin espresso or filter brew.