Description

Kenyan Chania Estate French Mission Coffee

Kenyan Chania Estate French Mission Coffee – Belco, one of the coffee brokers that Ponaire partners with to source coffee, first got to know the Harries family a few years ago. Boyce Harries is the 5th generation of the family to manage the two Chania and Oreti plantations. These two farms are the last remaining medium-sized farms in Kenya. We’ve been buying Boyce coffees directly since 2017, which is a great advantage because there are usually up to 7 intermediaries separating a producer from the final buyer! Jennifer Visited Boyce and Georgina Harries at their Kenyan Chania Coffee Estate in November 2023 to view the farm and discuss their processing methods.

Origin: Kenya
Region: Province Centrale
Terroir: Thika
Farm: Chania Estate
Producer: SUCAFINA SA
Species: Arabica
Variety: French Mission
Process: Kenyan Washed
Drying: Drying beds (14 days)
Altitude: 1525m
Harvest Period: October – January
Type of Harvest: Manual
Cupping: Dark Cherry and Chocolate tones with a rich mouthfeel. Full bodied coffee that makes for the perfect espresso.

The Chania Estate Farm has been owned by the Harries family for several generations. Is is one of the last two medium-sized farms in Kenya. Located on deep volcanic red soils, Chania estate covers 73 hectares. The Harries family also owns the Oreti farm and 80 hectacres of indigenous forests planted to encourage biodiversity. Today, over 50% of the Chania and Oreti farms are planted with French Mission Red Bourbon. The rest is a mix of Ruiru 11 (resistant variety), K7 (rust resistant), SL28 (susceptible to disease but known for its cup quality) and the new Batian variety. All the coffees are picked by hand and processed on site. Most are washed, but Boyce also produces natural and honey-processed coffees as well as micro-lots of specific varieties.

The permanent staff of 40 is multigenerational, many having worked and lived alongside up to three generations of the Harries family. The homes Boyce and his family provide for workers have clean water and electricity standard, as well as numerous extra facilities such as a social hall, nursery school, and a homework room. The employees form a self-elected committee which meets monthly to raise ID# 10868 Origin Kenya Region Thika Plateau, Central Province Farm Chania Estate Variety French Mission Bourbon Altitude 1525 masl Proc. Method Washed Harvest Schedule October– December; fly crop May– July The Cup: Dark Cherry and Chocolate tones with a rich mouthfeel. Full bodied coffee that makes for the perfect espresso. Chania Estate – Thika Plateau – French Mission (GrainPro) and discuss social, welfare, safety, and health matters. The Harries family is extremely active in the local community, donating more than 50 acres of land to the Thika Municipal Council and cofounding the Wabeni Technical Institute. The institute seeks to teach underprivileged children practical skills which can help them make a living (e.g. dressmaking, motor mechanics, carpentry)