Think blueberry jam stirred into single cream for this delectable cup. On the finish, there’s the gentle lift of lime zest and fruity blackcurrant.

Grown in the lush highlands of Murang’a County, this family-run estate was founded in 1954 and has been lovingly nurtured by the Gakunga family since 1976. Today, it’s led by Dr. Brian Gakunga, a passionate advocate for sustainable coffee farming in Kenya and across Africa.

So, what exactly is a Peaberry? In the world of coffee, most beans come in pairs. Inside each coffee cherry, you'll typically find two seeds nestled together, each developing with one flat side where they press against each other. These are the familiar flat-sided green beans we roast, grind, and brew.

But every so often, nature throws a delightful curveball. In about 5–10% of coffee cherries, only one of the two seeds is fertilised. With no twin to share space, this lone seed grows rounder and smaller, forming what we call a Peaberry.

Because of their unique shape, Peaberries are often sorted out from the rest during processing. Some believe this singular growth allows the bean to develop more evenly, resulting in a cup that’s sweeter, brighter, and more complex than its flat-bean counterparts. Whether that’s science or just good storytelling is up for debate, but one thing’s for sure: Peaberries have a devoted following.

• Country: Kenya
• Region: Central Province
• District: Muranga
• Constituency: Gatanga
• Nearest town: Thika
• Estate: Kiriga
• Size: 51 hectares
• Producer: Dr. Brian Gakunga
• Altitude: 1,550–1,650 m.a.s.l.
• Varietals: SL28 & SL34 Peaberry
• Processing method: Washed
• GPS coordinates: 1°00'16.5"S 37°01'47.6"E

Tasting notes: Blackberry jam, lime marmalade, dried apricot.

Cup of Excellence Cupping Scores

• Clean cup: (1–8): 6
• Sweetness: (1–8): 6.5
• Acidity: (1–8): 6.5
• Mouthfeel: (1–8): 6.5
• Flavour: (1–8): 6.5
• Aftertaste: (1–8): 6
• Balance: (1–8): 7
• Overall: (1–8): 6.5
• Correction:(+36): +36
• Total (max. 100): 87.5

Roast Information
Into first crack, don't take out too much heat and run through nice and quick to the end of the gap.