ONYX - Elshadai Coffee Estate Natural | Kenya - Natural - SL28, SL34, Ruiru11

ONYX Coffee Lab is located in Rogers, United State

From ONYX

This natural lot from Elshadai Estate in Kiambu County may mark the farm’s final harvest, as rising land value near Nairobi threatens its future. Discovered by Kenyan coffee professional Judy Murimi, the coffee underwent an estimated two-day anaerobic fermentation before drying on raised beds. With layered sweetness and gentle fruit complexity, it offers a compelling profile while being a tribute to a disappearing coffee landscape.

On the eastern shoulders of the Aberdare Range, where volcanic soils meet the mist of the central Kenyan highlands, you can find Elshadai Coffee Estate. Nestled in Kiambu County, this family-run estate produces a remarkably expressive natural-process coffee, a rarity in a region historically defined by washed profiles. Elshadai’s coffees are grown between 1,500 and 1,600 meters above sea level, where cool nights and high-altitude sunlight slow cherry maturation, concentrating sugars and complexity. The estate cultivates a diverse portfolio of varietals, SL28, SL34, Ruiru 11, and Batian, each selected not only for cup quality but also for resilience in the face of climate stress.

Harvesting occurs in two distinct windows: a primary harvest from November to December and a secondary “fly crop” between March and May. The estate’s commitment to meticulous cherry selection is non-negotiable, only fully mature, crimson-red fruit is handpicked and set to dry on raised beds under careful observation, allowing ambient fermentation to coax out layered, fruit-forward sweetness. Yet, what truly distinguishes Elshadai is its holistic commitment to land stewardship and community advancement. Reforestation and shade-tree planting initiatives are underway across the estate, helping to regulate canopy microclimates and biodiversity. By recirculating coffee pulp into the soil, Elshadai not only minimizes waste but actively builds organic matter, enriching the root zone and enhancing long-term fertility. Cover crops, erosion basins, and the introduction of beneficial predatory species reflect an agroecological vision that values balance over control. The estate also upholds the Kenya Coffee Growers Employees Association code of conduct, ensuring worker welfare through dignified housing, fair compensation guidance, and rigorous occupational safety practices. Through this blend of agronomic precision and social investment, Elshadai embodies the future of Kenyan specialty coffee: rooted in legacy, yet reaching toward regenerative progress.