$13 Each

Stone Fruit, Juicy, Pomegranate

Producer: Various Smallholders

Location: Kirinyaga

Varietal: SL-28, SL-34

Process: Washed

Elevation: 1700-1800 masl

FOB Cost: $11.61 kg

Our Cost: $14.18 kg

Mugaya delivers focused processing and consistently high quality. Established in 1975, Mugaya benefits from both the collective support of the co-op and a strategic location at the foot of Mt. Kenya, where volcanic soils and high altitude foster exceptional coffee production. The factory is one of ten washing stations operating under the Mutira Farmers’ Cooperative Society, located near Kagumo town in the highlands of Kirinyaga.

Roughly 1,700 active smallholder farmers deliver their cherries to Mugaya. Each farmer typically manages around 0.1 hectares of land, growing coffee alongside subsistence crops like maize, beans, potatoes, and vegetables. Many also cultivate tea as an additional income source. This mixed farming approach provides resilience for families and helps preserve the region’s biodiversity.

Cherry deliveries are made immediately after harvest to maintain freshness. Upon arrival, farmers sort the under- and overripe cherries under the supervision of the station manager. Pulping begins after daily deliveries are complete, followed by 24 hours of dry fermentation. Clean water from the Rwamuthambi River — flowing from the Mt. Kenya forest — is used to wash off mucilage, after which the parchment is soaked for 6 hours and then dried on raised beds. Close attention to detail during each step ensures Mugaya’s coffees remain clean, bright, and expressive.