Some people are unbearable if they have not had their shot of espresso in the morning. Dont talk to me until I have had my coffee, is a sentence you often hear from religious coffee drinkers.
Coffee has become a major part of many peoples lives, especially those who cannot start their day without that hit of caffeine.
Some opt to make it at home using instant coffee. Others have invested in their coffee-drinking habits by buying coffee makers while most would line up in the morning at coffee shops to get their dose.
KISERO: How to rescue Kenyas coffee sector Building a sustainable coffee business one bean at a timeAs of 2024, an estimated 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed worldwide every day, according to data from Statista. That is nearly one cup for every three people on earth daily. Major brands such as Starbucks and Dunkin have boosted the coffee-drinking culture worldwide because of their innovative coffee drinks and clients who deem it almost mandatory to have a cup of coffee every day.
In Kenya, there has been an increasing number of stakeholders engaging in value-addition, which has led to an increased number of consumption outlets due to a steady supply of processed coffee. According to the Coffee Directorates latest report, the coffee outlets increased from 231 in 2019 to 506 in 2021.
Boutique coffee shops have been the backbone of the growing coffee-drinking culture. Even though Kenya produces millions of tonnes of coffee yearly, Kenyans have always preferred tea, but this is a promising change. Sirwo Coffee Cafe and Bistro is one of the boutique cafes that recently opened in 2023 and brings coffee from the farm to a mug. The director of brand and strategy, Catherine Kittony, explainsthat her familys farm in Kitale used to be mainly for maize farming until 2012 when they started planting coffee due to the rich volcanic soils that presented a robust foundation. Now, the farm only grows coffee.
Most family-run estates in Kenya typically sell their beans to the export market. We decided to share our coffee with Kenyans by opening Sirwo Coffee Cafe and Bistro in Nairobi. The space is intended to enhance our farm-to-consumer experience, from our estate Sirwo Farm, nestled in the Cherangany Hills in Kitale, where we grow our grade AAA coffee, she said.
The signature collection at Sirwo Coffee features a Dark Roast from Arabica beans with a smooth, robust finish and a sweeter taste, with flavour notes of chocolate, sugar and hints of fruits or berries. The Medium Roast is from the Batian beans, named after the highest peak of Mount Kenya. The high-altitude variety has a unique flavour profile. It is sweet with good acidity, complex notes and full body.
Kenyans are becoming more conscious about the kind of coffee they are consuming. Kenya has historically been a tea-drinking nation, some may say, thanks to colonialism. We are seeing more chic cafes pop up, micro-roasters roasting single-origin beans and great blends, and baristas with latte art skills that will blow your mind. The future is caffeinated and Kenya is ready to pour a cup, said Ms Kittony.
The baristas play a major role in influencing people to drink coffee by innovating new and exciting drinks by mixing flavours and experimenting. They craft classic and unique drinks to suit every palettefor those who play it safe and those who dare to explore.
Many may think that coffee can only come as an espresso or a latte, but for those who would like an extra kick, there is a variety of alcoholic options by baristas. At Sirwo, the latte is the most ordered drink on the menu since it is the safest option for beginners and those who like something safe.
The difference between most classic coffee drinks is the varying amounts of steamed milk or water and espresso used in each beverage. For instance, an Americano is made of a shot of espresso and water, while a Cappuccino is made of one or two shots of espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk.
Curtis Majani, a barista at Sirwo, explains the more adventurous side of coffee drinking, starting from the Irish coffee, which is whiskey mixed with a single Americano and served hot.
The espresso martini is one of the most ordered cocktails. It is made with a shot of vodka, a shot of medium roast espresso, cinnamon-infused coffee liquor and sugar. We also serve a boozy latte which is mixed with creamy liquor such as Baileys. For those who enjoy rum, we have a cocktail called the Rum Rhapsody made with dark rum, espresso and brown sugar, he explains.
Ms Kittony found a way of involving artists in their coffee business by having a coffee-themed bruncha sip and paint brunch. Njoki Kahungura, an artist, leads the guests through a session of painting on canvas using coffee-based paints, which is her speciality.
