Meridian East · Coffee

East African green coffee

Kenyan arabica is among the most distinctive in the world — bright acidity, full body and a complex, fruit-forward cup, grown on volcanic soils and wet-processed to an exacting local standard. Uganda adds both high-altitude arabica and washed fine robusta from a single origin.

Kenya

Grades from the Nairobi Coffee Exchange

Kenyan grading is by screen size and density, not cup score alone. Grade sets the physical specification; the cup is confirmed separately by sample.

Kenya — green arabica

AAGrade AAScreen 17–18. The top commercial export grade, and where most of Kenya's reputation is made. Bright, structured, blackcurrant character.

ABGrade ABScreen 15–16. The largest export grade by volume, combining Kenya's A and B screens. Balanced and consistent.

PBPeaberrySingle rounded bean rather than two flat halves. Concentrated flavour, roasts differently — a distinct offering for specialty programmes.

CGrade CScreen 14. Smaller bean, commercial and blending use at a lower price point.

EElephantExtra-large bean from conjoined cherries. Small volumes, niche specialty demand.

TTGrade TTLighter, lower-density beans separated from AA and AB. Budget commercial and blending.

Varieties

SL28SL28The variety Kenya is known for. Deep blackcurrant acidity and structure; drought-tolerant, lower yielding.

SL34SL34Bolder body, berry and stone-fruit complexity. Performs well at higher rainfall.

RUIRU 11Ruiru 11Disease-resistant and reliable in yield. Clean, straightforward cup — increasingly common in cooperative deliveries.

BATIANBatianNewer disease-resistant release with cup quality closer to SL28 and SL34. Floral and bright at altitude.

K7K7Shade-tolerant, mild and clean with a smooth body. Grown mainly at lower elevations.

Kenya

Growing regions

Six regions with recognisably different profiles. Where a buyer has a fixed cup specification, we match region before selecting lots.

Nyeri

1,700–2,000m

Bright acidity, red fruit and blackcurrant, complex. The region most associated with classic Kenyan character.

Kirinyaga

1,600–1,900m

Full-bodied with berry and citrus, often wine-like in structure.

Murang'a & Kiambu

1,500–1,800m

Balanced and classically Kenyan, with chocolate and wine notes.

Mt. Elgon & Trans-Nzoia

1,800–2,100m

Sweet with milder acidity and high-altitude clarity. Clean, approachable cups.

Embu

1,400–1,700m

Fruity, bright and floral. An emerging specialty region with improving processing.

Meru & Tharaka-Nithi

1,400–1,800m

Bold body with tropical fruit. Export reputation growing steadily.

Uganda

Arabica and washed fine robusta

Uganda gives buyers two species from one origin. Arabica comes off the Mt. Elgon slopes in the east; fine robusta from the south-western highlands, wet-processed rather than sun-dried.

Uganda — grades

AR-AAArabica AAScreen 18+ from Mbale and Bulambuli at 1,600–2,200m. Floral, citrusy, bright acidity with a clean finish.

AR-ABArabica ABScreen 15–16. The primary commercial arabica export grade — balanced and consistent.

FR-S18Fine Robusta S18Screen 18 washed robusta. Bold body, low acidity, exceptional crema — built for espresso blending.

FR-S15Fine Robusta S15Screen 15. Commercial washed robusta for blending and soluble production.

FR-S12Fine Robusta S12Screen 12. High-yield budget commercial grade for instant and soluble manufacture.

900m1,350m1,800m2,250m2,700m

Kenyan arabica1,400–2,100m

Ugandan arabica — Mt. Elgon1,600–2,200m

Ugandan fine robusta900–1,500m

Buying

Auction, dealer and direct

Kenyan coffee sells through a regulated central auction with lot traceability to cooperative or estate, and that is our default route. Where the auction is the wrong one — a specific micro-lot, or a volume needed outside the sale cycle — the coffee is bought direct or dealer-to-dealer instead, within the marketing routes licensed at origin.

01 — Auction

Nairobi Coffee Exchange

Weekly sales of authenticated, graded lots with traceability to cooperative or estate level.

02 — Direct

Estate & cooperative

Farm-direct procurement for single-origin and specialty micro-lots where the cup justifies it, within the licensed marketing routes permitted at origin.

03 — Export

FOB Mombasa

Grading, moisture and defect testing, KEPHIS certification and container loading are handled at origin. CIF quoted on request.

Enquire about coffee Samples dispatched on request