Nilgiris – Rebels survive
08/12/2022Karatina Factory is part of Barichu Cooperative Society.
Karatina is located in Mathira division near Karatina town in Nyeri County, the southern part of the famous Mt. Kenya and part of the Barichu Cooperative Society with about 1,450 small-scale farmers. The cherries are fully washed with fresh river water from Ragati River and sundried on raised beds.
This region is blessed with red-volcanic soil that infuses it with all the mineral and organic goodness necessary for optimum production. It experiences an annual rainfall of 1,100mm at 1,650m above sea level. In addition, it enjoys cool temperatures of 13-26°C.
After pulping, the coffee is fermented overnight to break down the sugars, before traveling through channels to the soaking tank where the coffee is carefully cleaned, soaked and spread out on the raised drying tables.
Time on the drying tables depends on climate, ambient temperature and total production volume undergoing processing. Drying can take from 7 to 15 days in total. Continuous sorting and hand turning of the parchment takes place throughout the drying process.
This place is heaven for cyclists and nature enthusiasts.