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(Kenya) Machakos Green Coffee Beans
I. Origination:
Machakos county is one of central Kenya’s largest, beginning south of Nairobi and spanning northeast along the borders of Kiambu, Muranga’a, and Embu counties, some of Kenya’s oldest coffee producing areas. Machakos is lesser-known than the highly competitive central counties of Kiambu, Kirinyaga, and Nyeri, and while it is commonly known as “Eastern” Kenya, it nonetheless is capable of producing excellent quality coffees, as it contains similar latitudes and elevations to the rest of the central area.
II. Flavor Profile:
A great cup from light to dark, we thought it best in the light-medium roast levels but will work for darker roast fans as well. Higher acidity cup, comes off pretty lemony at the lighter roasts, has a nice touch of red fruit, down the raspberry alley. The lighter/brighter tones balance with a nutty/chocolate/herbal undertone. Unlike traditional Kenya, the herbal tone comes off more like a green tea, far less vegetal, a wonderful unique spin while not straying too far from classic. As it moves toward medium roasts, the cup becomes rounder and more structured, maintaining the citrus lift while deepening sweetness and body. In darker roasts, acidity drops back and the profile shifts toward bakers chocolate and deeper spice, with less fruit and citrus.
III. Roasting Notes:
An easy coffee to roast, tasty from light to dark and very even roasting, medium chaff levels. Lighter roasts emphasize its bright lemon acidity and bring forward the nutty, lightly herbal and spiced layers, which help differentiate it from the peaberry’s more fruit-sweet focus. A medium roast tends to offer the best balance, keeping the citrus lively while rounding the cup with chocolate, caramel sweetness, and a slightly fuller body. Pushing it darker will soften the citrus and reduce fruit character, leaning more into cocoa and spice. If your goal is to clearly separate it from the peaberry on the menu, keeping it in the light to medium range will highlight its brighter lemon, stronger nutty character, and more defined spice-herbal finish.
I. Origination:
Machakos county is one of central Kenya’s largest, beginning south of Nairobi and spanning northeast along the borders of Kiambu, Muranga’a, and Embu counties, some of Kenya’s oldest coffee producing areas. Machakos is lesser-known than the highly competitive central counties of Kiambu, Kirinyaga, and Nyeri, and while it is commonly known as “Eastern” Kenya, it nonetheless is capable of producing excellent quality coffees, as it contains similar latitudes and elevations to the rest of the central area.
II. Flavor Profile:
A great cup from light to dark, we thought it best in the light-medium roast levels but will work for darker roast fans as well. Higher acidity cup, comes off pretty lemony at the lighter roasts, has a nice touch of red fruit, down the raspberry alley. The lighter/brighter tones balance with a nutty/chocolate/herbal undertone. Unlike traditional Kenya, the herbal tone comes off more like a green tea, far less vegetal, a wonderful unique spin while not straying too far from classic. As it moves toward medium roasts, the cup becomes rounder and more structured, maintaining the citrus lift while deepening sweetness and body. In darker roasts, acidity drops back and the profile shifts toward bakers chocolate and deeper spice, with less fruit and citrus.
III. Roasting Notes:
An easy coffee to roast, tasty from light to dark and very even roasting, medium chaff levels. Lighter roasts emphasize its bright lemon acidity and bring forward the nutty, lightly herbal and spiced layers, which help differentiate it from the peaberry’s more fruit-sweet focus. A medium roast tends to offer the best balance, keeping the citrus lively while rounding the cup with chocolate, caramel sweetness, and a slightly fuller body. Pushing it darker will soften the citrus and reduce fruit character, leaning more into cocoa and spice. If your goal is to clearly separate it from the peaberry on the menu, keeping it in the light to medium range will highlight its brighter lemon, stronger nutty character, and more defined spice-herbal finish.