Storong, aromatic, and rich – Kenyan coffee is one the most distinctive and delicious types in the world. Some people respect it for the deep and intense taste of berries, others like it for it’s incredible smell and acidity, that will give an energy boost to even the most die-hard coffee enthusiasts. There are many brands of this type out there, but we need to take a look only at best Kenyan coffee brands, and what can you expect from their coffee beans.
Top 7 Kenyan Coffees: Comparison Table
| Brand | Form | Roast | Single Origin/Blend | Grade | Flavor Notes | Volume |
| Volcanica Coffee | Whole beans | Medium | Blend | AA | Raspberry, cranberry, fresh-cut redwood, alyssum-like flowers | 1 pound |
| Screen 18 | Ground | Medium-dark | Single origin | AA | Fruit, berry | 1 pound |
| Coffee Bros | Whole beans | Light | Single origin | AA | Sugary plum, chocolate, lemon | 12 oz. |
| Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC | Whole beans | Medium-dark | Blend | AA | Peach blossom, orange zest, black tea | 2 pounds |
| InfuSio | K-Cups | Dark | Blend | AA | n/a | 96 K-Cups |
| Climb’s Roast | Whole beans | Medium | Blend | AA | Floral | 1 pound |
| Cooper’s Cask Coffee | Whole beans | Medium-dark | Single origin | AA | Honey wheat, bitter sweet chocolate, molasses biscuit | 12 oz. |
Getting to Know Kenyan Coffee Up Close
Kenyan coffee beans are known for producing the richest coffee that will make even the hardest morning a lot easier and pleasant.
But the question is what makes the Kenyan coffee brands so beloved among the coffee lovers? What is so special about it?
The Kenyan Coffee Type: Overview
To begin with, Kenyan coffee grows in volcanic soils with high acidity levels.
Kenyan Coffee is mostly grown in areas with volcanic soils and high plateaus. This gives it the SHG and SHB status, aka Strictly High Grown and Strictly High Bean. Also, it is full of nutrients because the growth process is well-guarded over a long period.
These conditions are ideal for growing Arabica, the most popular type of coffee in Kenya. And what’s more, it allows this country to carry out extensive research on coffee. As a result, it introduces new Kenyan coffee hybrids that resist disease and, while being less acidic, give higher yields than classics breeds. So whether you like a stronger, or milder taste, you can be sure that the Kenyan coffee will give you the best and java experience!
Kenya Coffee Plants Varietals & Growing Regions
The main coffee growing regions in Kenya are the high plateaus in the Mt Kenya region, Nyanza, Kericho, Kisii, Bungoma, and the Aberdare Ranges. These regions have just enough sunlight and rainfall, perfect for coffee plantations to thrive.
To retain roasting consistency, the beans are graded and sorted before they are roasted. The beans are set apart by their size, shape, and density. Specifically, Kenyan coffee beans are graded into AA, AB, PB, C, E, TT, T, and MH/MK varieties. Other typical varieties include SL 28, SL 34, K7, Batian, and Ruiru II.
Kenyan Coffee Grades
Some of the major Kenyan coffee grades are:
- Kenya E (Elephant bean): Largest coffee bean type in Kenya.
- Kenya PB (Peaberry): These are E grade sub-category beans because of their large size.
- Kenya AA Coffee: Generally regarded to be one of the best quality coffee beans in the market and is bright, robust, fruity, and the tree more floral. They are grown at high elevations of over 6,600 feet, which yields a more dynamic flavor profile.
- Kenya AB coffee beans: They are a combination of grade A and grade B beans and are considered premium beans. While larger than the AA beans they are just as rich and delicious as Kenya AA coffee.
- Kenya C: Thin coffee beans, delivered from the Kenya B grade.
- Kenya TT: Light beans, that are a blend of Kenya AA, Kenya E, and Kenya AB.
- Kenya T: These are broken beans from Kenya C and not as highly graded as the pure forms. These are the smallest Kenyan coffee beans, and they are usually less popular than other brands.
The Main Tastes and Flavors of Kenyan Coffee
Kenyan coffee can have a slightly different taste, depending on the roast:
A light roast makes the coffee bean more creamy, fruity, and acidic with a richer taste. On the other hand, the heavier roast will make it sweeter, with an intense berry flavor. In some instances, the light roasts will also give starchy, malty, banana-tone beans, while heavy roast has cocoa, and caramel tones.
This mouthwatering taste and flavor is what really makes Kenyan Coffee a global hit. Not to mention, Kenyan coffee beans have an outstanding aroma with a wine-like acidity and tones of fruit-like flavors as well. Moreover, coffee from Kenya is usually wetly processed, which gives it a notable compelling sweetness.
And for an even fuller and intense experience we recommend letting Kenyan coffee beans rest for at least two days after roasting: that will bring out the sweet mouthfeel. Moreover, slower drying will give you the best beans with the much desired and famed sweetness of coffee.
Identifying the Best Kenyan Coffee for You
With so many coffee grades and blends from Kenya, it can be rather challenging to find the one that will satisfy your personal coffee preferences. So in order to make your choice a lot easier, and find the best product, we suggest you:
- Determine your flavor profile
- Find a supplier
- Make sure to sample before making a purchase
- Compare the prices
What Roast is the Best for Kenyan Coffee?
If you want to emphasize the fruity taste of the Kenya coffee bean, a light roast will do. However, a stronger roast will bring about the cocoa and caramel flavors that are found in all the best Kenyan coffee in 2023.
Popular Kenyan Coffee Brands
Kenyan coffee has gained its popularity thanks to both it’s rich and intense flavour, and some of the acclaimed, best Kenyan coffee brands like:
Out of the Grey
The Out of the Grey Kenyan coffee is one of the best organic Kenya coffee you could use to start your day on a high note. It contains sweet earthy flavor notes, including fennel, raisins, menthol, and black currant.
Volcanica Coffee Peaberry
This is one of the most delicious coffee beans in the world. In addition to being produced from the volcanic soils in Kenya, the Peaberry also has a slight acidity that will refresh and energize you with every sip you take.
Chiru Coffee Connections
The Chiru AA graded Kenyan beans are grown on volcanic soil in the central highlands of Kenya. These beans are 100% Arabica and highly rich in a fruity flavor. On top of all that, they also have a wine-like aroma, that will surely soothe you.
Starbucks
Starbucks brings a well-rounded whole bean roast with small portions of brown sugar and hints of tropical fruit. They are grown in the mountain regions of Kenya at high altitudes, which enhance their sweet flavor.
Fresh-Roasted Coffee LLC
For coffee lovers that have a sensitive stomach, and/or can’t stand acidic coffee, Fresh Roasted is an ideal brand. That is because unlike other Kenyan beans, this company offers a far less acidic option. However, it still maintains the distinctive sweet flavor from orange zest, peach blossoms, and black tea.
How to Brew Kenyan Coffee the Best Way
In order to fully enjoy the rich and divine taste of this coffee, it is better to use a steeping brewing. For that you can use The Aeropress and the French press – they do a remarkable job with this coffee brewing method.
Moreover, according to a lot of Kenyan coffee reviews, Kenyan beans also are great for cold brews. The cold coffee brew preserves the juicy flavors of drink more compared to steeping.
Final Thoughts
With its rich and unique flavors, and intense but regal taste, it’s no surprise that Kenyan coffee has found its rightful place on the global stage. On top of that, there are plenty of the good types available, but only you decide which is the best Kenyan coffee 2023. Whether you like the classical, incense taste of the Kenyan coffee, or looking for coffee rich in rare flavors like lemongrass, bergamot, or berries, we’re certain that Kenyan coffee would be a perfect choice for everyone that loves a good java with extraordinary, rich taste.