Belancan Yeast Honey, from Kintamani, Bali
The Belancan Yeast Honey lot comes from Belancan Village, Kintamani, Bali, Indonesia, and is produced by Kanggo
Gakuyu-ini Factory is a wet mill located in Kirinyaga County, on the fertile southern slopes of Mount Kenya, at an altitude ranging from 1,600 to 1,700 meters above sea level. It is part of the Thirikwa Farmers’ Cooperative Society, which includes around 1,550 smallholder members, over 670 of whom are women. Together, they tend approximately 400,000 coffee trees. The farmers grow mainly SL28 and SL34, with a smaller presence of Ruiru 11, benefiting from deep red volcanic soils and ample rainfall of 1,100–1,400 mm annually.
Harvests take place between October and December, with a smaller early crop from April to July. Processing at Gakuyu-ini follows a meticulous washed method. During harvest, cherries are picked early in the morning and processed the same day. After pulping, dense beans undergo fermentation, washing, and careful hand-sorting by density. Drying takes place on raised beds, with constant monitoring to ensure even drying and protect the parchment coffee from harsh weather. Once moisture levels reach the target range of 10–12%, the coffee is bagged and transported to the dry mill.
More About Gakuyu-Ini Factory
Gakuyu-ini Factory is situated in Kirinyaga County, a region known for its fertile volcanic soils and ideal coffee-growing conditions at the base of Mount Kenya. The name “Kirinyaga” itself originates from the Kikuyu word for the mountain, meaning “the crest of whiteness,” referring to its snow-capped peaks.
Gakuyu-ini is consistently recognized as one of the best-paying factories in Kenya. It plays a central role in the Thirikwa Farmers’ Cooperative Society, which is governed by five elected management committee members and supported by a three-person supervisory committee. It employs around 15 staff members and maintains a dedicated quality team that includes wet mill managers and farmers. This team conducts regular training to ensure consistent improvement in coffee quality. To support accessibility, the factory has established cherry collection centers for farmers who live too far to deliver directly on foot.
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While you are here, discover our other coffees!
Belancan N2 Anaerobic Natural, from Kintamani, Bali
The Belancan N2 Anaerobic Natural lot comes from Belancan Village, Kintamani, Bali, Indonesia, and is produced by Kanggo, a coffee farmer with 5 hectares of land at elevations of 1,200 to 1,400 meters above sea level
Manikliyu Honey, from Kintamani, Bali
The Manikliyu Honey lot comes from Manikliyu Village, Kintamani, Bali, Indonesia, and is produced by Mudar, a coffee grower whose family has cultivated coffee for generations.
Eka’s Wet-Hull, from Kintamani, Bali
The Eka’s Wet-Hull lot comes from Dausa Village, Kintamani, Bali, Indonesia, and is produced by Eka, a second-generation coffee grower who inherited his farm from his father.