KENYA Karinga AA – Filter

by Five Elephant

Karinga factory, established in 1983, occupies 5 acres and serves Kimaruri, Kariungu, Gachuha, and Mugalwa Villages. It is affiliated with Gitwe Farmers Co-operative Society Ltd. Out of 650 members, 500 are active and 150 are inactive, notable for its location within tea zones.   The factory experiences a biennial production cycle with early harvests from April-June and late ones from October-December. Coffee varieties include SL28 and SL34 (99% of production) and Ruiru 11 (1%). Post-harvest, coffee undergoes wet processing; water is sourced from River Rwabura for pulping and recirculation. Coffee is then pulped, stored overnight, washed, soaked, and dried on tables.   The parchment is turned frequently, sorted, and stored for milling. The factory is equipped with a pulper, recirculation system, and 12 conditioning bins to enhance efficiency.