Kenya Green Coffee Beans

Kenyan green coffee is known for its clarity, structure, and unmistakable fruit character. With bright, wine-like acidity and a range of flavour notes - blackcurrant, citrus, tropical fruit - Kenya consistently delivers lots that stand out on the cupping table. These qualities stem from high-altitude growing regions, fertile volcanic soils, and cool temperatures that support slow cherry development and concentrated sweetness.

Processing plays a central role too. Most Kenyan coffees are washed using a unique dry fermentation method that heightens clarity and complexity. Some washing stations opt for fermentation in water, while others rely entirely on dry fermentation over 12 hours or more. These variations preserve the vibrant acidity and clean finish that define Kenya’s best coffees. Together, the growing conditions and meticulous processing make Kenyan green coffee a favourite among specialty roasters worldwide.

We work with a trusted network of Kenya green coffee producers, cooperatives, and exporters. That allows us to navigate the challenges of the auction system and consistently source top-tier lots from regions like Nyeri and Kirinyaga. Rather than taking a speculative approach, we prioritise coffees with full traceability and strong sensory performance - whether that’s classic washed SL-28 or more experimental options. Our close collaboration with experienced Kenyan partners ensures a steady supply of coffees that meet the expectations of specialty buyers.

Yes, we can! If you're looking for Kenya green coffee from a specific region, or want to explore a particular processing method, we can help you find the right fit. Whether it’s a structured washed lot from Embu, a fruit-forward natural from Kirinyaga, or something experimental from Nyeri, we’ll work with our partners to source coffees that meet your profile and volume requirements.

We understand that not every roaster is looking for the same thing, so we make it easy to request custom fermentation styles, unique varietals, or specific delivery timelines. Just reach out to us directly and we’ll help make it happen.

Kenya grows several varieties that are highly regarded by roasters for both flavour and performance. SL-28 and SL-34 are widely recognised for their cup quality. While susceptible to disease, they deliver bright acidity, layered fruit, and excellent clarity - traits that keep them in demand year after year.

Ruiru 11 offers more disease resistance, allowing for denser planting and more consistent yields. Though less expressive than SL varieties, it’s valued for its balance, moderate acidity, and suitability for blends or everyday offerings. Batian and K7 are also gaining traction for their productivity and promising cup profiles, giving buyers more flexibility when sourcing Kenya green coffee at scale.

Kenya stands tall in the world of green coffee and for good reason. Known for producing some of the most vibrant and nuanced coffee profiles globally, Kenya green coffee beans are a top-tier choice for discerning roasters seeking brilliance in the cup. With their hallmark bright acidity, juicy body, and complex fruit-forward character, these unroasted beans offer exceptional potential for craft, experimentation, and standout results.

What sets Kenyan coffee apart is its rich agricultural legacy and rigorous grading system, designed to ensure only the highest quality reaches the market. Whether you roast at home or for large-scale wholesale supply, Kenya’s SL28 and SL34 varieties, grown in volcanic soil at high elevations, provide consistent excellence and a distinct flavor signature that elevates any coffee offering.

Behind every bean is a story of thousands of smallholder farmers, many of whom work with cooperatives committed to sustainability, traceability, and quality improvement. This combination of ethical sourcing, ideal growing conditions, and global reputation makes Kenya an origin every serious roaster should have in their green coffee portfolio.

Kenya’s green coffee beans are world-renowned for their unmatched clarity, complexity, and intensity. Their distinctive flavor identity, often marked by notes of blackcurrant, citrus, florals, and wine-like acidity, sets them apart from nearly every other origin. These flavor traits aren’t incidental; they’re the product of high-altitude farming, rich volcanic soils, and heirloom varietals that have adapted uniquely to Kenya’s microclimates.

From the misty foothills of Mount Kenya to the sun-drenched slopes of Nyeri and Kirinyaga, regional distinctions are sharply defined, allowing roasters to explore a wide range of taste experiences even within a single country. Washed processing further enhances clarity, giving roasters a clean canvas for expressing nuanced profiles through light to medium roasts.

In speciality coffee circles, Kenya holds an elite status. Its top-grade lots (AA, AB, Peaberry) consistently perform well on cupping tables and score highly in quality assessments. Many international roasters use Kenyan beans to add brightness and lift to their blends, while others feature them as seasonal single-origin releases due to their limited availability and demand-driven pricing.

Kenya has also earned accolades on the global stage, with standout lots making frequent appearances in barista competitions and coffee championships. This international acclaim only deepens its appeal to roasters seeking beans with proven pedigree and market recognition.

In short, Kenya’s green coffee beans offer a combination of quality, character, and credibility that few origins can match, making them a staple in the toolkit of both artisanal and large-scale roasters across Europe and beyond.

Kenya green coffee beans are a dream for roasters who value versatility and precision. Whether you're crafting a fruit-forward filter roast, a bright and expressive espresso, or elevating a high-end blend, Kenya's clean and structured cup profile performs exceptionally across roast types and brewing methods.

Roasters often lean toward lighter roast levels to preserve the vivid acidity, layered fruit complexity, and floral aromatics Kenya is famous for. However, medium roasts can highlight a deeper sweetness and velvety body, especially in espresso applications. Even when exploring the mid-range of the roast curve, Kenyan beans maintain clarity, a trait that supports experimentation without sacrificing balance.

In blends, Kenya acts as a dynamic enhancer. Its acidity and sweetness can brighten lower-acidity coffees from origins like Brazil or Sumatra, bringing depth and lift to a blend without overpowering it. This makes it a highly sought-after component in both seasonal and signature offerings.

Within the speciality market, Kenya consistently holds strong demand. Buyers gravitate toward its traceability, grading transparency, and flavor integrity. For speciality roasters across Europe, its ability to stand alone as a single origin or elevate a blend makes it a cornerstone of many curated menus.

It’s no surprise that Kenyan green coffee is a staple among award-winning roasters and boutique brands, the combination of regional character, processing consistency, and roasting adaptability makes it an origin with enduring appeal and clear commercial value.

Flavor Profile & Cupping Notes

Kenya’s green coffee landscape is shaped by a diverse mix of high-altitude zones, fertile volcanic soils, and equatorial climate, giving rise to distinct regional profiles that roasters value for their complexity and consistency. The country’s structured approach to cultivation and processing makes each region’s output traceable and unique in flavor expression.

Nyeri

Located on the western slopes of Mount Kenya, Nyeri is one of the most celebrated coffee regions in the country. Altitudes here range from 1,700 to 2,100 meters above sea level, and the combination of cool temperatures and deep red volcanic soil leads to slow cherry maturation. This region is known for producing high-acidity coffees with crisp berry notes, floral aromas, and excellent cup structure, ideal for light roasting and showcasing in single-origin offerings.

Kirinyaga

Nestled just south of Nyeri, Kirinyaga benefits from similar growing conditions but often delivers a slightly softer profile. With elevations up to 2,000 meters, the region yields coffees with lemony brightness, black tea undertones, and refined sweetness. The balance and elegance in Kirinyaga lots make them suitable for both filter and espresso development.

Embu

On the southeastern side of Mount Kenya, Embu produces green coffee known for its vibrant acidity and layered citrus notes. Altitude and volcanic soil again play a major role, but this area also offers occasional flavor surprises, think stone fruits, honey, and even savory tomato nuances. Embu coffees are particularly favored for dynamic cupping tables.

Kiambu

Closer to Nairobi and slightly lower in elevation (averaging 1,500–1,900 meters), Kiambu boasts large estates and organized cooperatives. The cup profile here is generally full-bodied with round acidity and notes of dark berries, plum, and chocolate, offering greater versatility across roast levels. Kiambu coffees often feature in speciality blends due to their depth and balance.

Murang’a

North of Nairobi, Murang’a is gaining recognition for its fruity complexity and brightness. Conditions mirror those of neighboring Nyeri and Kirinyaga, with altitudes up to 2,000 meters and similarly rich volcanic terrain. This region’s coffees typically exhibit citrus zest, tropical fruit notes, and a clean finish, making them ideal for light roast development.

Each of these growing zones contributes to Kenya’s reputation for distinctive, high-quality green coffee, with well-defined flavor distinctions that allow roasters to tailor selections based on roast style and customer preference, much like how Sidamo and Yirgacheffe serve different roles in Ethiopia’s coffee scene.

Kenya’s green coffee production is exclusively centered on Arabica, with no commercial Robusta cultivation. The country has built its reputation in the speciality market on a small but elite group of high-performing Arabica varietals that consistently deliver exceptional cup profiles, clarity, and complexity, qualities highly prized by quality-driven roasters.

SL28 and SL34

The most iconic varietals in Kenya are SL28 and SL34, developed in the 1930s by Scott Agricultural Laboratories. These cultivars have become synonymous with Kenyan coffee’s global reputation.

• SL28 is particularly drought-resistant and thrives at high altitudes. It produces beans known for bright acidity, juicy mouthfeel, and layered fruit flavors, including blackcurrant and citrus.
• SL34 is favored for its robust yield and resistance to fluctuating rainfall. It tends to offer deeper body, chocolatey undertones, and a broader flavor range when roasted toward medium levels.

Ruiru 11

A more recent addition to Kenya’s varietal landscape, Ruiru 11 was introduced as a disease-resistant hybrid, a response to threats like Coffee Leaf Rust and CBD (Coffee Berry Disease). While it is more robust in the field, careful lot selection is crucial, as its cup quality can vary. Well-managed Ruiru 11 lots can deliver bright acidity and clean fruit notes, appealing to roasters focused on sustainable sourcing.

Batian

Developed by Kenya’s Coffee Research Foundation, Batian is another hybrid that combines disease resistance with a potential for high-quality cup scores. It’s still gaining traction in the speciality segment, but offers promise due to its productive yield and balanced flavor potential, often showing citrus and stone fruit tones with smooth texture.

Heirloom Lineages

While Kenya doesn't possess the same heirloom diversity as Ethiopia, its varietal base is rooted in selective breeding from Bourbon and Typica lines, giving the cup a deep genetic foundation of sweetness, acidity, and floral nuance. The limited number of varietals allows for consistency and predictability across regions, an advantage for roasters seeking dependable quality.

Kenya’s focused approach to cultivar selection, agronomic support, and breeding for cup quality has solidified its status as a cornerstone origin in the speciality green coffee world. Roasters trust these varietals not just for their performance in the roaster, but for their ability to stand out on competitive cupping tables and in curated single-origin menus.

Kenya’s green coffee harvest cycle plays a critical role in availability, quality, and planning for roasters across Europe and beyond. The country follows a biannual harvest system, providing two distinct picking periods, though one is dominant in both volume and quality.

Main Harvest (October–December)

The primary harvest takes place between October and December, with peak arrivals of fresh green coffee typically reaching exporters and importers by February to April. This window is when the highest-quality lots are processed, graded, and shipped, making it the most important sourcing period for speciality roasters. Most competition-level and single-origin offerings come from this season.

Fly Crop / Secondary Harvest (June–August)

The secondary harvest, often referred to as the fly crop, occurs between June and August. Although smaller in volume, it can still produce noteworthy lots, especially from well-managed cooperatives and estates. These beans are generally available between September and October, offering roasters a mid-year opportunity to stock or test new lots.

Freshness & Timing

Timing is everything when sourcing green coffee. The freshest stock is usually available within two to three months after processing, particularly from the main harvest. Roasters looking for peak brightness and full expression of Kenyan flavor profiles should aim to purchase between March and June, when new season arrivals are at their best.

While Kenya does not offer year-round harvests like some equatorial producers, the dual-season structure allows for strategic purchasing across the calendar. Speciality roasters can plan seasonal menu rotations or restocks around both harvests to maintain freshness and variety.

This harvest rhythm makes Kenya a reliable origin for rotational buying, limited-edition releases, or standout seasonal offerings, keeping your green coffee inventory dynamic and aligned with optimal quality windows.

The way Kenya green coffee beans are processed at origin plays a vital role in the final flavor potential that roasters can unlock. Processing in Kenya is known for its consistency, attention to detail, and focus on clarity, resulting in green coffee with excellent structure and brightness.

Fully Washed (Wet) Process – Most Common

The vast majority of Kenyan coffee undergoes the fully washed process, also known as the wet method. In this approach, ripe cherries are pulped, fermented, washed with clean water, and then dried, either on raised African beds or patios.
This method removes all mucilage before drying, leading to clean, crisp flavor profiles with pronounced acidity and transparent fruit character. Roasters value this process for its ability to bring out notes like citrus, blackcurrant, red berries, and florals, while maintaining consistency across batches.

Limited Use of Natural and Honey Processing

Unlike origins such as Ethiopia or Costa Rica, natural and honey processes are extremely rare in Kenya. These alternative techniques are used only in experimental microlots, typically produced by progressive cooperatives or research farms aiming to push boundaries for competition coffees.

• Natural process (sun-dried in the cherry) may yield syrupy texture, dried fruit, or tropical fruit notes, but comes with increased risk of defect if not carefully managed.
• Honey process, where some mucilage remains during drying, is nearly unseen in commercial Kenyan lots, and when present, tends to soften acidity and introduce subtle sweetness.

Anaerobic & Fermentation-Driven Methods (Experimental)

Anaerobic fermentation or carbonic maceration is in its infancy in Kenya and typically reserved for innovation-focused producers or direct-trade relationships. These techniques can introduce spice, floral complexity, or tropical undertones, but are not yet part of mainstream Kenyan coffee production.

Regional Consistency

Across growing zones like Nyeri, Kirinyaga, and Embu, washed processing is the gold standard, with very little variation. Unlike countries where region dictates method (e.g., naturals in Ethiopia’s Guji vs. washed in Yirgacheffe), Kenya maintains nationwide alignment around the washed approach, supported by centralized wet mills (known locally as factories).

For roasters, this consistency offers a dependable starting point for dialling in roast profiles, and makes Kenya one of the most reliable origins for clean, fruit-forward green coffee that responds well to precision roasting.

Kenya’s reputation in the speciality green coffee world is closely tied to a focused but impactful set of Arabica varieties, many of which have been specifically bred or selected for high-altitude cultivation, disease resistance, and superior cup quality. These varieties shape the vibrant sensory profiles that make Kenyan green coffee so desirable to roasters.

SL28

Among the most celebrated Kenyan varieties, SL28 stands out for its resilience in dry conditions and exceptional flavor development at high altitudes. Its beans consistently produce elegant acidity, pronounced fruit character, and excellent sweetness. Roasters can expect notes of blackcurrant, red apple, and citrus, often with a long, refined finish. SL28 remains a benchmark variety for complexity and cup structure.

SL34

Selected for its performance in wetter conditions, SL34 is often planted alongside SL28. While it shares similar fruit-forward attributes, SL34 typically delivers a richer body and slightly lower acidity, making it suitable for roasters who want more balance and depth. Flavor profiles often include dark berries, brown sugar, and mild floral tones, especially at medium roast levels.

Ruiru 11

A hybrid developed to combat disease pressures like Coffee Leaf Rust and CBD, Ruiru 11 blends genetic material from both Bourbon and Timor hybrids. Although it was initially seen as a compromise between yield and quality, careful selection and improved agronomy have resulted in clean, fruit-toned lots that can satisfy speciality-grade standards. Roasters may find tart red fruit and mild spice in well-processed Ruiru 11 beans.

Batian

Another disease-resistant hybrid developed in Kenya, Batian, has shown promising cup potential when grown under optimal conditions. While its profile is still being explored by many buyers, it often leans toward citrus, mild florals, and balanced sweetness, with a texture that suits both filter and espresso styles.

Bourbon Lineage Influence

Although pure Bourbon is not widely cultivated in Kenya today, many of the country's top-performing varieties, especially SL28, trace their genetic lineage back to Bourbon selections. This origin is likely responsible for the notable sweetness and fruit expression that Kenyan coffees are known for.

Geisha, Typica, and Heirlooms (Rare)

While Geisha, Typica, and Ethiopian heirloom varieties have gained global acclaim elsewhere, they are not commonly found in Kenyan production. That said, experimental plots and private estates are beginning to explore these genetics for future diversification. For now, roasters looking for classic Kenyan character will primarily find it in SL and hybrid types.

Each variety contributes to the distinct flavor identity and consistency that define Kenya’s green coffee. For speciality roasters, understanding the varietal makeup of a lot provides deeper insight into roast development, flavor potential, and customer appeal.

Once roasted, these beans offer roasters an exceptional degree of control, character, and clarity, making them a valuable addition to any green coffee program. Known for their vibrant acidity and refined structure, Kenya green coffee beans perform well across a range of roast levels, but especially shine when precision-roasted for lighter profiles.

At light to light-medium roasts, roasters can fully showcase Kenya’s signature brightness, floral aromatics, and layered fruit expressions, ideal for single-origin releases that highlight terroir. In the medium range, the body deepens and sweetness becomes more pronounced, offering balanced results suited for espresso or cupping lineups. While dark roasts are less common, select Kenyan lots with robust structure can handle deeper profiles, producing darker fruit, cocoa, and syrupy textures.

Ideal for roasters seeking beans that produce excellent clarity and contrast, Kenya is a strong candidate for single-origin offerings, especially in curated seasonal menus. However, its dynamic flavor and acidity also make it a powerful component in premium blend construction, lending lift, brightness, or complexity when combined with lower-acidity origins like Brazil or Indonesia.

Once roasted, these beans are incredibly versatile across brewing methods. They excel in pour-over, Chemex, AeroPress, and siphon brews, where transparency and complexity are key. For espresso, Kenyan beans roasted just into medium develop a layered, fruit-forward shot with excellent crema and balance, a favorite among cafes focused on elevated espresso experiences.

In short, Kenya green coffee beans offer roasters a wide, creative range, fitting comfortably into both experimental and consistent production workflows, whether for retail bags, café service, or wholesale accounts.

Once roasted, these beans adapt beautifully to a range of brewing methods, giving roasters and end users multiple ways to experience their distinct qualities. Kenya’s clean cup profile, bright acidity, and complex fruit tones make it one of the most flexible origins in terms of brew applications, especially when matched with the right roast level.

Espresso

Kenyan beans roasted to a medium level can produce a highly expressive espresso. Expect a shot with juicy acidity, dense sweetness, and notes of dark berries or citrus peel. The structure of SL varietals holds up well under pressure, offering both depth and vibrancy, excellent for standalone espresso or layered into high-quality blends.

Pour-Over (V60, Chemex)

Pour-over methods are ideal for extracting the clarity and brightness that Kenya is known for. With a light or light-medium roast, brewers will uncover delicate florals, lemon zest, blackcurrant, and crisp acidity, especially when using a V60 for sharper extraction or Chemex for a cleaner, smoother cup.

French Press

For those seeking a richer texture and fuller body, a French Press brings out Kenya’s deeper layers, especially when using medium roast profiles. Expect a brew with velvety mouthfeel, warming fruit notes, and a touch of spice or cocoa in the finish, ideal for slower, immersive drinking.

Cold Brew

Kenyan beans can also be used to create refreshingly smooth cold brews, especially when the roast level leans toward medium. The bright acidity mellows out, revealing stone fruit, sweet tea, or berry-like sweetness. The result is a low-acid, flavor-forward option that stands out in iced applications.

AeroPress

For roasters or brewers who love to experiment with ratios, temperatures, and steep times, the AeroPress is an excellent tool. It can highlight different layers of Kenya’s profile depending on brew method and roast depth, from a crisp, tea-like light roast extraction to a more rounded, syrupy medium roast cup.

Kenya’s adaptability makes it a favorite for brewers seeking varied and rewarding cup experiences from a single origin, an attribute that directly enhances its value in any green coffee portfolio.

Kenya is globally recognized for its rigorous quality control systems, which begin at the farm level and continue through processing, grading, and export. This meticulous structure is a major reason why Kenyan green coffee consistently meets the expectations of speciality buyers and professional roasters.

Grading System

The Kenyan grading system is based primarily on bean size and density, with categories such as AA, AB, PB (Peaberry), C, E (Elephant), and TT.

• AA represents the largest, most dense beans, often commanding the highest prices for their uniformity and cup quality.
• AB is slightly smaller but still offers excellent flavor and consistency.
• Peaberries (PB) are single-seeded beans that can deliver concentrated flavor and bright acidity in smaller batches.
  These grades help roasters align expectations with size, flavor potential, and roasting behavior.

Regulatory Oversight

Kenya’s coffee sector operates under the supervision of entities like the Coffee Directorate (under the Agriculture and Food Authority), which ensures compliance with national standards. Many coffees are processed through licensed cooperatives, which are known for maintaining strict sorting, fermentation, and drying protocols to reduce defects and elevate cup scores.

Transparency & Trade Models

In recent years, there’s been a growing emphasis on direct trade and traceability, allowing roasters to access single-factory or single-farm lots with full visibility into growing practices and producer relationships. Transparent auction systems and traceable wet mills (called "factories") contribute to greater accountability and lot-specific quality control, critical for speciality buyers looking to build origin-based programs.

Quality Assurance Practices

From selective handpicking to raised-bed drying and triple-stage sorting, Kenya’s coffee handling methods are aligned with global best practices. Many cooperatives perform multiple rounds of flotation and sorting to remove underripe or damaged cherries before processing begins, resulting in clean, consistent green beans that roast evenly and cup reliably.

Packaging & Sizing Options

To meet the needs of roasters of all sizes, Kenya green coffee is available in a variety of practical packaging formats, ranging from small trial bags to full-scale commercial volumes.

We offer Kenyan green coffee beans in the following sizes:
0.5Kg, 1Kg, 2Kg, 5Kg, 10Kg, 20Kg, and 30Kg.

·         0.5Kg to 2Kg: Perfect for home roasters and sample testing, allowing flexibility for roast profiling and experimentation.

·         5Kg to 10Kg: Ideal for small-batch speciality cafes or micro-roasters managing rotating single-origin menus.

·         20Kg to 30Kg: Suited for commercial roasting operations and wholesalers seeking consistent stock for larger volume needs.

All sizes are packaged to protect moisture integrity, bean condition, and long-term storage, ensuring that roasters receive fresh, defect-free green coffee ready for development.

We take pride in sourcing Kenya green coffee beans through transparent, ethical, and traceable supply chains that support farmers and deliver consistent quality to our customers. Our approach is rooted in long-standing relationships with producer cooperatives, private estates, and certified washing stations across Kenya’s top coffee-growing regions.

Direct Origin Partnerships

Our green coffee offerings from Kenya are primarily sourced through direct partnerships with local cooperatives and exporter groups, many of which operate in Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Embu, and Murang’a counties. These cooperatives maintain rigorous cherry selection standards and offer detailed documentation of each lot’s origin, altitude, variety, and processing method.

We prioritize working with Sustainable, Rainforest Alliance, and UTZ-certified entities wherever possible to ensure that environmental and labour standards are upheld throughout the supply chain.

Ethical Sourcing & Fair Compensation

We actively support sourcing practices that return fair premiums to farmers, often through transparent auction systems or fixed-price contracts. Our partners include mills and exporters who uphold social and environmental responsibility, investing in local infrastructure, training programs, and women-led initiatives within farming communities.

Many of the lots we select come from wet mills (factories) with traceable ownership and centralized processing methods, allowing us to maintain lot-level separation and quality verification at every step.

Full Traceability from Farm to Sack

Each Kenyan green coffee batch we offer comes with lot-specific documentation, including:

• Factory name or cooperative ID
• Altitude and regional data
• Varietal composition
• Processing method and harvest year

This level of traceability is crucial for speciality roasters, allowing for origin storytelling, quality verification, and consistency across repeat purchases.

Our sourcing model ensures you’re not just buying green coffee, you’re investing in a transparent, traceable, and ethically sound supply chain rooted in one of the world’s most respected coffee-producing origins.

Unlock the full spectrum of Kenyan flavor with our premium selection of Kenya Green Coffee Beans, sourced directly from top micro-lots, trusted cooperatives, and ethically managed estates across Kenya’s most celebrated regions. Whether you’re a home roaster looking for vibrant acidity and clarity or a professional buyer seeking consistency and traceability, we have the right lot for your needs.

We offer a diverse range of sizes, from 0.5Kg trial packs to 30Kg commercial sacks, so you can experiment or scale with confidence. Every batch is freshly harvested, carefully graded, and transparently sourced to ensure you’re getting beans that are as honest as they are flavorful.

Discover what makes Kenya a global benchmark in speciality coffee.
Browse our selection today and elevate your roasting journey with vibrant, fresh, and traceable green coffee beans from Kenya.