Kenya AA Plus — The Radiant Heart of Africa’s Coffee Heritage

The Land and Its Legacy — A Coffee Origin Like No Other

In the eastern cradle of Africa, Kenya rises with dramatic landscapes shaped by volcanic mountains, sweeping savannas, and the Great Rift Valley carving its way across the nation. From the foothills of Mount Kenya to the rolling highlands near Nairobi, the country holds one of the most extraordinary terroirs in the coffee world.
Here, cool temperatures, equatorial rains, and elevations reaching beyond 2,000 meters create the perfect environment for slow-ripened Arabica — a cup defined by clarity, depth, and a brightness that seems to capture the Kenyan sun itself.

A History Carried by Missionaries, Farmers, and Time

Although Kenya borders Ethiopia—the birthplace of coffee—its own coffee story began surprisingly late. Only in the late 19th century did Scottish missionaries bring seeds from Yemen and plant them in Kibwezi and later Nairobi. Through the British colonial era, Kenya developed research institutions, grading systems, and the iconic auction model that helped establish its global reputation.
Today, despite challenges, Kenya remains one of the world’s most respected origins, celebrated for its precision, transparency, and unmistakable cup character.

What Defines Kenyan Coffee — A Terroir of Brightness and Depth

Legendary Varietals — Bourbon Lineage and the Iconic SL28

Kenya’s signature profile begins with its varieties. The Bourbon-derived SL28 and SL34 deliver exceptional acidity, sweetness, and structure — the very qualities that turned Kenyan coffee into an international benchmark.
Grown at high elevation, exposed to sun yet sustained by moisture, these varieties mature slowly, concentrating sugars and producing fruit-forward, wine-like acidity.

Smallholder Excellence — The Heartbeat of Kenyan Quality

Kenya’s coffee identity is built by over 700,000 smallholder farmers cultivating small plots yet producing remarkably high-quality lots. Handpicking, washed processing, raised drying beds, and cooperative grading systems ensure that clarity and consistency define every harvest.
Smallholders contribute more than half the nation’s production, preserving Kenya’s global reputation through dedication and meticulous craft.

The AA System — Auction, Transparency, and the Pursuit of Excellence

For decades, Kenya’s Nairobi Coffee Exchange has been a symbol of transparency and quality. Lots are cupped, graded, and auctioned weekly — a tradition admired across the specialty coffee world.
While direct trade now coexists with the auction system, “AA” remains a universally recognized standard representing large, dense beans with excellent cup potential.
It is through this system that Kenya maintains its identity as one of the most traceable and quality-driven origins on earth.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Kenya’s future is full of promise but not without obstacles. Reliance on rainfall exposes farmers to climate-related risks, while rising input costs challenge profitability. An aging farming population and land fragmentation further complicate long-term viability.
Organic certification remains difficult due to both financial barriers and disease pressures. Yet, progress continues with GAP training, sustainable processing technologies, and new certification models.
Despite these challenges, Kenya’s coffee remains irreplaceable — luminous, structured, and iconic.

Blagu Kenya AA Plus — Our Interpretation of a Global Classic

Kenya AA Plus at a Glance

Flavor Notes: Lemon – Grapefruit – Plum
Roast Level: Light Medium
Intensity: 2/5
Origin: Mount Kenya
Altitude: 1,750–1,900 masl

A Cup That Reflects the Mountain and the Sun

From the fertile slopes of Mount Kenya, Kenya AA Plus captures the essence of the region’s terroir: high-grown density, volcanic minerals, and radiant citrus character. The cup opens with sunlit brightness — lemon and grapefruit dancing with clean acidity — then softens into plum-like sweetness.
It is vibrant yet refined, energetic yet silky. The kind of cup that lingers not because it is bold, but because it is beautifully balanced.

Guru’s Craft — Precision, Intuition, and the Heart of the Bean

Guru approaches Kenya AA Plus with a philosophy rooted in listening.
He follows the aroma bloom, senses the shift before first crack, and adjusts heat not by numbers, but by instinct. This light-medium roast preserves Kenya’s trademark acidity while mellowing it into a smooth, articulate texture.
Through this approach, Blagu presents a Kenya AA that honors terroir while offering harmony in every sip — a cup where craft and nature meet.