Rungeto Kii

Kii Factory, operated by Rungeto Farmers Cooperative Society (FCS), is one of three facilities under its management. Rungeto boasts over 850 members, many of whom supply cherries to Kii. Established in 1995, the factory is situated at the base of Mt. Kenya. The nearby Kii River provides the factory with its name and a source of clean water for processing high-quality, fully washed coffees.

Significant efforts have been made recently to enhance the quality of coffee from Kii. These initiatives have led to the production of consistently complex and clean coffees.

Small-scale farmers handpick only ripe cherries and bring them to Kii Factory. The Cherry Clerk meticulously sorts the cherries, accepting only those that are dense and ripe. This careful selection process is crucial to maintaining the renowned quality of Kii coffee.

Once accepted, the cherries are pulped and fermented for 16-24 hours, depending on the ambient temperature. After fermentation, the coffee is washed with clean water from the Kii River and soaked for 12 hours. New tiles in the washing channels help preserve both the coffee and water quality. The water used in processing is filtered in earthen pits before being returned to local streams.

Post-washing and grading, the coffee parchment is dried on raised beds. Workers frequently rake the parchment to ensure even drying and cover it during the hottest parts of the day and at night to maintain a consistent drying process. It takes about 14 days for the parchment to dry completely.