Rung'eto Peaberry

Farmlevel Story

 

The Rung’eto Farmers Cooperative Society is an organization that owns and manages three high performing wet mills: Kii, Karimikui, and Kiangoi. The cooperative began after farmers planted coffee trees beginning in 1953, the coop is now hierarchically organized with seven board members, composed of two selected members from each mill.

The cooperative relies on the participation of about 2,800 farmers across the three mills. This lot that we get to share, comes to us from the Kii Factory. Beyond our knowledge of where this coffee was milled, it is hard to trace it back to the farmer. This is not uncommon for Kenyan coffees. Cherries are delivered to the mill by local smallholder farmers, they then receive payment that same day for their harvest. Coffees that are delivered on the same day, are compiled together to create a “day-lot.”

Since day-lots consist of a few different coffees we get an array of different varieties in our cup. The term peaberry however, does not describe the variety of coffee but rather a genetic phenomenon in which a cherry only produces one seed (traditionally cherries produce two seeds). We are not really sure why this happens or if we can manipulate some variables to create more peaberries, regardless we are so excited when we get them. In your bag of coffee you won't help but notice the tiny and ovular shape of these beans, as well as the fruity and light taste that come with them.