What We Do
Every coffee has its own story
Coffee beans are the seeds of a fruit called a coffee cherry. Coffee cherries grow on coffee trees from a genus of plants called Coffee. There are a wide variety of species of coffee plants, ranging from shrubs to trees. Type of bean. There are two main types of coffee species, Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica usually grown at higher altitudes and mountainous areas, Arabica coffee trees require additional care and attention as they are more prone to disease and pests.
Robusta has a full, heavy body and around twice as much caffeine. The bean itself is slightly rounder and smaller than that of an Arabica bean and usually grown at far lower altitudes due to the robustness of the coffee plant.
Harvesting
Kenya has two coffee harvests in a year. The “fly” or early crop that is harvested between September and December, and the “main” or late crop is harvested between March and July. Kenya produces mild coffees with primary processing being undertaken at either the communally/cooperative owned mills that aggregate coffee from small-scale farmers or at farmer-owned mills in large scale plantations. Secondary processing and post-farm logistics such as transportation are largely undertaken by contracted private sector service providers.
Packaging & Importing
Our Green Coffee Beans for Export is typically bagged in 60kg net but pricing is usually done based on a 50kg bag. As licensed Kenya Coffee Dealers, we are officially licensed and regulated by the Agriculture and Food Authority Coffee Directorate, where were able to bid for qualifying lots at the Coffee Auction which takes place every Tuesday (on-season) at the Coffee Board Exchange located in Nairobi or arrange single origin sourcing through provision of direct trade between farmers and buyers through an export contract.
Drying
Coffee drying is a post-harvest process that generally preserves coffee quality rather than improving it. Washed, natural, and honey processed coffees must all be dried at some stage of processing.
There are two main factors that contribute to how a coffee dries: temperature and airflow. Over time, these reduce the moisture within the green coffee. Moisture levels should also be monitored to avoid mould developing within the beans. Moisture levels before drying will be between 40 and 50%, and should be reduced to anywhere from 11 to 12%.
Quality Analysis
Once coffee is received and stored at the warehouse and recoded as per company SOPS Quality department takes the next step of quality analysis.
At quality level few parameters takes place:-
- Bean quality.
- Moisture meter.
- Sample roasting.
- Cupping and taste analysis.
Blending is the moisture of more than two coffee which happens once quality control has done the QC and give directives to the commercial roasting department.
This can be done before or after roasting depending on the cup quality pet coffee sample.
Grading
A general rules with Kenya coffee beans is that bigger beans have more essential oils that enhance the tastes and aromas. Other factors are also important such as the quality which is where the Certified Q Graders (cuppers) also known as professional coffee tasters debate whether the bean size necessarily means a better quality of roasted, ground and brewed Kenyan coffee.
Method of classification, 5 grades of coffee beans have been identified, each indicating various levels of imperfections. There are usually three types of defects found in coffee beans which include large stones, unripe beans, and shells. Let’s take a look at these grades of coffee beans.
- Grade 1: Specialty Coffee Beans
- Grade 2: Premium Coffee Beans
- Grade 3: Exchange Coffee Beans
- Grade 4: Standard Coffee Beans
- Grade 5: Off-Grade Coffee Beans
Roasting & Packing
Coffee roasting is changing color through heat by use of a roaster to a desired profile.
We are keen on roasting profiles which meets Kenyan Characteristics and flavors.
Our roasting profiles are:
- Medium roast for brewing purpose.
- Espresso roasts for Espresso Based Beverages. (Specialty beverages)
We also listen and discuss with our customers as per their required profiles.
During roasting few changes takes place in coffee like color, smell, size density etc.
Once coffee is roasted immediately it’s taken to packaging line for grinding or packaging.
Welcome to Value Gold Coffee Africa’s fastest-growing coffee trading company with a commitment to redefining the way we harvest and consume coffee across the globe.
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Contact Us
Value First Ltd.,
The Mirage, Westlands
P. O. Box 39737-00623
Unit 4, Tower 2
Nairobi, Kenya
- +254 721251790
- +254 734567890
- sarmabg@valuefirstltd.com
- www.valuefirstltd.com