Origin · Kenya
Nyeri
Central Highlands
The classic Kenyan profile — blackcurrant, tomato, and grapefruit acidity from SL28 on red volcanic soil.
Nyeri, on the southern slopes of Mount Kenya in the central highlands, produces what many consider the archetypal Kenyan cup: intensely juicy blackcurrant, ripe tomato, and grapefruit acidity over a syrupy, structured body. Smallholders deliver cherry to cooperative-run 'factories' (washing stations) that meticulously double-wash and sun-dry the coffee, and the deep red, iron-rich volcanic 'nyeri red' soils are credited with the region's signature acidity. The famous SL28 and SL34 selections — bred at Scott Agricultural Laboratories in the 1930s — dominate alongside the disease-resistant Ruiru 11 and Batian. Sold through Kenya's distinctive weekly auction system and graded by bean size (AA, AB), Nyeri coffees are a benchmark for brightness in specialty coffee.
Climate
Cool high-altitude equatorial climate with two rainy seasons and a main and 'fly' crop.
Soil
Iron-rich, deep red volcanic soils ('nyeri red') associated with high acidity.
Roasters sourcing from here
Stockholm, Sweden
Drop Coffee
Stockholm roaster and Swedish Nordic-roast standard-bearer led by Joanna Alm.
Acton, United States
George Howell Coffee
The roastery of a true coffee elder statesman, devoted to terroir and clarity.
Chicago, United States
Intelligentsia Coffee
Chicago founder of US direct trade and a training ground for a generation of coffee professionals.
Rogers, United States
Onyx Coffee Lab
Northwest Arkansas roaster turned competition powerhouse and design-forward specialty leader.
Calgary, Canada
Phil & Sebastian Coffee Roasters
Engineering-minded Calgary roaster known for deep producer investment and precision.
London, United Kingdom
Square Mile Coffee Roasters
London roaster co-founded by World Barista Champion James Hoffmann.
Berlin, Germany
The Barn
Uncompromising Berlin roaster known for purist light roasting and exacting standards.
Copenhagen, Denmark
The Coffee Collective
Copenhagen pioneer of Nordic light roasting and radical sourcing transparency.
Oslo, Norway
Tim Wendelboe
The Oslo micro-roastery that became shorthand for Nordic light roasting and farm-level sourcing.
Varietals grown here
Last updated: June 13, 2026