Kaliluni AA

Kaliluni AA | Kenya

Producer – Kaliluni Factory

Location – Machakos, Eastern Kenya

Farm – 1,659 farmers delivering to Kaliluni Factory

Variety – Batian, Ruiru 11, SL28, SL34

Altitude – 1,700 - 1,900 masl

Process – Washed

Cupping Notes – Blackcurrant, Sugarcane, Elderflower

Roasted For – Filter

Importer – Opal Coffee

Kaliluni Factory, run by the Kaliluni Farmers Cooperative Society in Machakos, Kenya, serves 1,659 smallholders farming under 1 hectare at 1,700–1,900 MASL. They grow SL28, SL34, Batian, and Ruiru 11, with tailored soil management support from Kahawa Bora. Ripe cherries are handpicked, pulped, fermented, washed, soaked, and dried on raised beds. Kenyan AA coffees, prized for quality and meticulous preparation, reflect the country’s strong smallholder-driven coffee tradition.

About

Kaliluni Factory is owned and operated by the Kaliluni Farmers Cooperative Society (FCS) in Eastern Kenya. Around 1,659 smallholder farmers deliver cherries here from their farms in nearby Machakos, which sit at elevations of 1,700–1,900 meters above sea level.

The farmers cultivate SL28, SL34, Batian, and Ruiru 11 coffee varieties on plots that are typically less than a hectare in size, and follow good agricultural practices with a strong focus on sustainability and minimal environmental impact.

Through Kahawa Bora’s soil sampling program, farmers gain access to tailored soil analysis and fertiliser recommendations. This approach reduces input costs, boosts profitability, and improves both yields and cherry quality. Previously, most farmers relied on generalised fertiliser formulas that did not reflect their farms’ unique needs.

When harvesting cherries, farmers handpick only ripe cherries. At the factory, the Cherry Clerk carefully inspects deliveries, sorting visually and through floating to ensure only dense, ripe cherries are accepted. They are then pulped and fermented for 12–16 hours, washed in fresh water and soaked for 24 hours, then spread on raised beds and dried for 7-14 days, being turned frequently for even drying.

Quality and Classification

Kenyan coffees are graded by screen size, with AA beans being the largest (17/18 screen, >7.2 mm). The country’s reputation for meticulous processing and world-class flavour has made its coffees some of the most sought-after globally.

The Varieties

SL28 & SL34 – Developed by Scott Agricultural Laboratories in the 1930s–40s, these varieties are prized for their deep root systems, drought resilience, and exceptional cup quality.

Batian & Ruiru 11 – Newer, high-yielding and disease-resistant cultivars that begin producing fruit just two years after planting.

Filter Recipe

This is a good starting point for all of our filter coffees. Adjust Accordingly to your own preference.

Ground Coffee: 20g

Brewed Weight: 320g

Contact Time: 3:00-3:30

Recommended Brewing Age

14+ days after roast date