Kenya launches national coffee flavour atlas project
Around 500 coffee samples from 34 counties will be analysed to map regional taste profiles by 2027.
Kenya is creating a national coffee flavour atlas to document the country's diverse coffee profiles, with findings expected in 2027. The Kenya Coffee Flavor Map initiative will analyse approximately 500 samples from 34 coffee-growing counties, connecting flavour characteristics with regional origins, varieties, and production practices. Kenyan and international coffee cuppers will participate in blind sensory evaluations, with results made freely available to the industry.
The initiative, supported by the Government of Kenya, the Coffee Board of Kenya, and the FAO, aims to provide a shared reference for understanding regional differences and communicating coffee characteristics. Professional cupping sessions will be held during the Kenya Coffee Flavor & Origin Expo in Nairobi from November 14-16. Torch Coffee co-founder Marty Pollack stated the project encourages collaboration between Kenyan professionals and international sensory experts.
The atlas will feature regional flavour profiles, visual maps, and a searchable sensory database. This project coincides with growing domestic interest in coffee, as the number of coffee shops in Kenya rose from 231 in 2019 to 791 in 2023. The findings will be accessible to producers, exporters, buyers, roasters, and educators.
Why it mattersKenyan coffee producers and exporters will gain a tool to better communicate the unique qualities of their beans to international buyers.