{"product_id":"mwirua-gathambi","title":"Mwirua Gathambi","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEstablished in 1954, Mwirua Farmers’ Cooperative Society manages several affiliated coffee factories, including Getuya, Riakiania, Mitondo, and Gathambi, and represents thousands of smallholder farmers, most of whom cultivate coffee on small plots with an average of a few hundred trees per farm. By pooling resources and centralising processing and marketing, Mwirua FCS enables its members to achieve better market access and share in the proceeds from coffee sales after operational costs. Continued investment in processing infrastructure and quality management supports consistency and long- term sustainability for the cooperative and its members. Beyond producing quality coffees, Mwirua Farmers’ Cooperative Society supports its farming communities through training, improved agronomic practices, and sustainability-focused initiatives. These efforts help strengthen farmer livelihoods, protect natural resources, and ensure the long-term viability of coffee production in Kirinyaga County.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe harvest months are between December and February, with the average annual rainfall at 1400mm, and an average temperature of 20.5°C. Every cherry is handpicked with care by smallholder farmers, ensuring only the ripest fruit is harvested. Upon delivery to the factory, farmers meticulously sort their cherries, removing over- and under-ripe ones to meet the factory’s strict quality standards. From there, the cherries are pulped, sorted, and slowly dried, an artisanal process that preserves the integrity and vibrant character of each bean.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the factory, processing begins with a disc pulping machine that carefully removes the skin and pulp from freshly harvested cherries. The coffee is then separated by density into three distinct grades. Only the highest qualities (Grades 1 and 2) continue on to fermentation, while Grade 3 is set aside as a lower grade. The selected coffees undergo a traditional fermentation process lasting 6 to 8 hours, a crucial stage that helps develop their bright acidity and refined sweetness. Once fermentation is complete, the parchment coffee is thoroughly washed and passed through grading channels, where it is once again sorted by density to ensure precision in quality. Finally, the beans are soaked for an additional 16 to 18 hours in fresh, clean water sourced from nearby streams. The parchment is then sun dried from 8 to 14 days on raised drying beds. To protect the quality during drying, the coffees are carefully covered with plastic sheets during the heat of midday and throughout the night, shielding them from harsh sun and moisture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the cup, you’ll find bright and elegant notes of grapefruit and blueberry. The sweetness is complex and reminds us of cane sugar, while the acidity is citric and deeply integrated. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Even Coffee","offers":[{"title":"250 gr","offer_id":52997056856351,"sku":null,"price":27.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 kg","offer_id":52997056889119,"sku":null,"price":88.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0823\/6226\/9983\/files\/Mwirua_Gathambi-250g.png?v=1791470011","url":"https:\/\/evencoffee.ca\/products\/mwirua-gathambi","provider":"Even Coffee","version":"1.0","type":"link"}