Single Origin
Kenya Ruera Estate AA
An estate coffee that displays tropical fruits, a smooth body and a unique aftertaste of rhubarb. This lively and winey offering comes from the Thika District and is grown in volcanic soil. Grown in the high plains at an altitude of 1616 metres, the acidity and sweetness shine through. $16/12oz		Owners: Socfinaf Co. Ltd Varietal: SL28, SL34, K7 Region: Thika District, 30km North-East of Nairobi Climate: Annual Average Rainfall of 937.1mm Soil Type: Kikuyu Volcanic Red Loams Process: Wet process and sun drying Altitude: High plains of Kenya at 1616 meters Shade Grown: Cover crop is Arachis Pintoi planted in between the coffee blocks. Farm Size: 444 Hectares Bird Friendly: Crane and water birds Certification: Utz Kapeh Certified, Café Practices V

Thika is a market town in Central Province, Kenya, 40km north east of Nairobi, and on the Thika River.Thika has a population of 88,265 (1999 census) and is growing rapidly.

There are two explanations for the name Thika. One has its origin in the Kikuya word Guthika, meaningto bury. During a great droght, the Maasai ventured outside of their normal territories looking forwater for their huge herds of cattle. Two rivers pass through Kikuya land, River Thika and Chania, bothproviding sustenance for the agricultural Kikuya. With this water in contention, and both tribes desperatefor survival, they fought a bloody battle that left few survivors. A mound near Blue Posts Hotelsupposedly is where the dead warriors were buried.

The other explanation come from the Maasai work Sika,meaning rubbing something off an edge.

The town was given its status by the Government Gazette in1924. Thereafter it was elevated to a second-class municipalitywhen Kenya gained independence in 1963, and the firstMayor was enthroned in 1968.

The economic activities of the town include agriculture,particularly in the horticulture (exports mainly to Europe) andcoffee industry (exports mainly to the USA and Europe).Other industries include textile (cotton), food processing(pineapples, macadamia nuts, wheat), tannery, motor vehicleassemblies and cigarette manufacturing. About one hundredsmall-scale industries and about twenty major factoriesexist in and around the town.