SL28

A Kenyan selection from the 1930s, famous for the blackcurrant intensity and juicy acidity of Kenya's best coffees.

SL28 was selected in the 1930s at Scott Agricultural Laboratories in Kenya (the SL in its name), from a drought-tolerant tree that came from Tanganyika, today's Tanzania. Along with SL34 it became the backbone of Kenya's coffee.

It is prized for intensity: blackcurrant, blackberry, tomato-like savoriness and bright, juicy acidity. The trade-off is that it is vulnerable to coffee berry disease and leaf rust, which is why Kenya later bred resistant varieties like Ruiru 11 and Batian.

From
Scott Agricultural Laboratories, Kenya, 1930s
Known for
Blackcurrant, blackberry, juicy acidity
Weakness
Susceptible to coffee berry disease and leaf rust
Signature notes
blackcurrant, hibiscus, blackberry
Origins
Kenya (169), Colombia (18), Honduras (14), Costa Rica (12), El Salvador (9), Guatemala (3), Burundi (2), Uganda (2)
Processes
Washed (171), Natural (34), Anaerobic (14), Honey (11), Experimental (6), Inoculated (3), Lactic (2), Thermal shock (2)
Flavors
Berry (132), Citrus (119), Floral (76), Red fruit (76), Caramel & sugar (62), Stone fruit (61), Tropical (51), Dried fruit (27)
Elevation
1600–1900 m (median 1725 m)

On the bag

SL
Scott Agricultural Laboratories, the Kenyan research lab that made the selection.

Roasters that carry it most

In stock

Past coffees

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