Madcap Coffee Company: Kenya Set
About two weeks ago I ordered one of Madcap's latest offerings, a Kenya set which is comprised of two 12oz bags of their Kenyan coffees, Kiaria and Kirura.
From the moment I read about these coffees that I knew I wanted to try them both.
I haven't had that many Kenyan coffees this year. I think I've once again topped the year by having more Ethiopian coffees than I can stand to, but I can't complain... I've had some killer Ethiopian coffees that have easily made my favorites list of 2014 for sure!
I can say for sure that I have also had a few really great Kenyan coffees recently as well so it was pretty exciting to order this Kenya set and seeing what Madcap had to offer with these.
NOTE*** Madcap has been very welcoming toward splitting bags so if you're looking to try this in a 6oz bag of each, just ask them!
Kiaria, Kenya
Coffee/Roaster: Kiaria, Kenya / Madcap Coffee Company
Region: Kiambu
Producer: Kiaria Factory
Elevation: 1,850-1,950 meters
Varietal: SL28 and SL34
Process: Washed and dried on raised beds
Harvest Season/Date: December 2013 - January 2014
Cost: $18 per 12oz
Thoughts
On the nose is a strong mixture of sweet glazed doughnuts and juicy plum. The first initial whiffs is apparent that this coffee is nothing short of complex.
The juicy plum and glazed doughnut only scratches the surface of what's to come. Before you know it, a wave of flavors come at you; spices like nutmeg, and cinnamon followed by fresh coconut and floral undertones.
Mind blown!
The taste is everything you've smelt in the aroma and more. Each sip is sweet combining a hefty mixture of that glazed doughnut and coconut I mentioned in the aroma.
Its really interesting tasting this much sweetness in a Kenyan. Lately all the Kenya's I've had have been very fruity, floral-like, or both, so this is a welcoming surprise.
Underneath the thick wave of sweetness I find some plum and cherry tones and maybe even some red delicious apple. A nice palate of fruit.
As the coffee starts to cool it begins to pop out here and there. The sweetness starts to mellow down letting some lime zestiness come forth along with some floral qualities.
The floral play comes bursting out with lavender, jasmine, and rose petals as the cup nears ice cold. The flavor really hits the tongue hard.
Kiaria is a great representation of the quality of Kenya’s best coffees ― full bodied and complex with flavors of plum and strawberry with a delicate, floral finish. ~ Madcap Coffee Company
* * *
Kirura, Kenya
Coffee/Roaster: Kirura, Kenya / Madcap Coffee Company
Region: Karatina, Kiambu
Producer: Kirura Factory
Elevation: 1,800 meters
Varietal: SL 28 and SL34
Process: Washed and dried on raised beds
Harvest Season/Date: December-March
Cost: $20 per 12oz
Thoughts
This coffee wastes no time diving into what it has to offer. Sweet cane sugar, plum and lime invade your nose in such a pleasing way. The plum is juicy and when mixed with the cane sugar, it gives off a sweet fruit play to make your mouth water.
On first sip, it's a fight between the juicy plum and the slight tartness of the lime. The fight ends with the cane sugar as it coats your tongue leaving a slightly sweet finish at the end of each sip.
As the cup cools I find myself tasting some more fruit like raspberries, a touch of tangerine, apple.
Smooth and heavy, with notes of bright berry, plum, and sugar cane, this coffee’s complex flavor is a standout. ~ Madcap Coffee Company
Verdict
Holy goodness! Both of these coffees were beyond what I expected.
I had fun comparing these two coffees. Both had qualities to it that just blew my mind. The Kiaria carried a lot of doughnut and plum while the Kirura had cane sugar, plum and apple.
You can read more about this coffee and purchase here.












