Kenya · Variety
SL34 Coffee from Kenya
SL34 is one of the defining varieties of Kenyan coffee. Kenya grows coffee at 1,400–2,100 m across regions such as Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, and SL34 — a Arabica of Scott Agricultural Laboratories selection (Kenya) from French Mission Bourbon stock — occupies an important place in that landscape. Its preferred range of 1,300–2,000 m; handles heavier rainfall than SL28 aligns with what Kenyan farms can offer, which is a large part of why the pairing works.
Agronomically, SL34 brings a demanding but rewarding profile — susceptible to rust and cbd — with moderate to good yields on a tall, dark bronze-tipped leaves plant. In Kenya, where the harvest runs main crop october – december; fly crop april – june and annual production is ≈750,000 60-kg bags, those traits shape which farms plant it and how its lots reach the export market through Mombasa.
In the cup, Kenyan SL34 expresses both sides of its parentage: the variety contributes dark fruit, heavy sweet body, bright citrus finish, while Kenya's terroir adds the character the origin is known for — blackcurrant, grapefruit, tomato-vine brightness, cane sugar; sparkling complex acidity with juicy, wine-like structure — coffee's high-acid reference point. Buyers comparing SL34 across origins will find the Kenyan expression distinct for exactly that reason.
Key facts
| Variety | SL34 |
|---|---|
| Species | Arabica |
| Lineage | Scott Agricultural Laboratories selection (Kenya) from French Mission Bourbon stock |
| Optimal altitude | 1,300–2,000 m; handles heavier rainfall than SL28 |
| Kenya growing altitude | 1,400–2,100 m |
| Harvest season | Main crop October – December; fly crop April – June |
| Disease resistance | Susceptible to rust and CBD |
| Bean size | Large |
| Typical Kenyan cup | Blackcurrant, grapefruit, tomato-vine brightness, cane sugar; sparkling complex acidity with juicy, wine-like structure — coffee's high-acid reference point. |
Related Kenya regions
SL34 Coffee from Kenya — frequently asked questions
Where in Kenya is SL34 grown?
Primarily across Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, at elevations of 1,400–2,100 m. The variety's preferred range of 1,300–2,000 m; handles heavier rainfall than SL28 means the higher zones tend to produce the most expressive lots.
What does Kenyan SL34 taste like?
Expect the variety's core character — dark fruit, heavy sweet body, bright citrus finish — shaped by Kenya's terroir toward blackcurrant, grapefruit, tomato-vine brightness, cane sugar; sparkling complex acidity with juicy, wine-like structure — coffee's high-acid reference point.
When is SL34 from Kenya available fresh?
The Kenyan harvest runs main crop october – december; fly crop april – june; fresh-crop lots typically reach consuming markets one to three months after milling, shipped via Mombasa.
Volcana Coffee exports high-grown Catimor, Typica, and washed Fine Robusta from the Bolaven Plateau, Laos — washed, natural, and honey processed, SGS-inspected, with full export documentation. Cup our origin against any in the world.
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