Kenya Ngararia AA - NSOF Special Edition

From the village of Ngararia in Murang'a County comes a Kenya AA that carries a second mission. This is a Special Edition supporting the Navy Special Operations Foundation, and it delivers the bright, layered fruit that makes Kenyan coffee unmistakable.

OriginKenya RegionMurang'a County, Ngararia Elevation1,600-1,850 meters ProcessWashed VarietySL28, SL34 The Source

Murang'a County's quality-focused cooperatives

The Ngararia Farmers Cooperative operates in Murang'a County on the western side of Kenya's central highlands, where coffee cultivation benefits from volcanic soil and reliable rainfall. The cooperative serves more than 700 smallholder producers, most farming plots smaller than an acre. This region receives less international attention than Nyeri County but produces coffee of comparable quality through careful farming and processing.

Member farms sit between 1,600 and 1,850 meters above sea level, cultivating the SL28 and SL34 varieties that define Kenyan coffee character. That elevation range creates microclimates where coffee ripens at different rates through the harvest, allowing selective picking that targets peak ripeness. Volcanic minerals in the red soil feed the trees and contribute to the complex acidity these varieties are known for.

The Craft

Washed processing for a clean, bright cup

Cherry reaches the cooperative's washing station within hours of picking, so processing begins while the fruit is fresh. The station depulps mechanically, then ferments the coffee in clean water for 24 to 48 hours depending on temperature and cherry condition. Operators check fermentation progress regularly to judge the right washing time.

The washed process emphasizes the coffee's inherent character rather than adding processing flavors, producing the clarity and fruit-forward brightness that specialty buyers seek. Careful drying on raised beds completes the work, with regular turning for even moisture reduction. We roast the green coffee to City+ in small batches, a level that preserves the bright acidity and keeps the fruit notes intact.

BlackcurrantBlood orangeStrawberryHoney BodyMedium AcidityBright The Cup

Classic Kenya complexity

Blackcurrant provides the signature Kenya opening, followed by blood orange acidity that feels both bright and juicy. Strawberry adds a second layer of fruit while honey sweetness balances the citrus and berry. Medium body carries everything cleanly without muddiness, showing the careful processing behind the cup. It is a coffee that reminds you why Murang'a County deserves recognition alongside Kenya's more famous regions.

The Context

A Special Edition for the Navy Special Operations Foundation

This lot is a Special Edition that supports the Navy Special Operations Foundation, a Virginia Beach nonprofit serving Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal operators, Navy Divers, and their families through warrior care, family support, and transition resources. Ten percent of proceeds from this coffee go to the foundation's mission. Sourcing an exceptional Kenya AA to carry that cause felt fitting for a roastery rooted in the same coastal community.

Find Your Fix

Pour-over brewing brings out the layered fruit this coffee offers. Try V60 or Beehouse with a 1:16 ratio and water at 203-205 degrees F. As espresso, expect fruit-forward shots that shine straight or in milk drinks. Aeropress with a shorter brew time highlights the blood orange and strawberry while keeping the acidity bright. Browse the rest of our coffee beans and find your fix.

Roasted in small batches at our Virginia Beach roastery.

Packaged in reusable glass mason jars, returned locally for reuse. Solar-roasted.

Virginia Beach, VA