
History of Coffee Culture in Nairobi
History of Coffee Culture in Nairobi : Nairobi is home to some of Kenya’s top cafes, and coffee is central to the city’s culture. There is a cafe for everyone, regardless of whether you are a die-hard coffee enthusiast or merely searching for a comfortable place to sip a hot beverage. Nairobi boasts a thriving coffee culture with everything from hip specialised coffee shops to distinctive themed cafés. The best cafes in Nairobi will be highlighted in this article. Coffee has long been a vital component of Nairobian culture. Numerous Kenyans appreciate sipping coffee all day long, and the city has a long history of producing coffee. Speciality coffee shops have sprung up in recent years, catering to coffee lovers with their own blends and brewing techniques. Nairobi’s coffee scene has completely changed as a result of these cafes’ introduction of novel tastes and methods.
British colonists brought coffee to Kenya for the first time in the late 1800s. In Nairobi, the crop began to gain traction in the 1930s, and by the 1940s, it was one of Kenya’s main export goods. Coffee is still a staple of Kenyan culture today and is usually drank in social situations, particularly in cafes. The history of Nairobi is well ingrained in the city’s coffee culture. The coffee business has a long history in the area, as seen by the plantations outside of the city. Both residents and visitors are drawn to the numerous cafés scattered across the city by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the streets.
Nairobi has a long history of producing coffee, which has made it a hub for global coffee connoisseurs. Learn about the process of cultivating and harvesting coffee beans by taking visits of coffee plantations. To find out more about the various brewing techniques and flavour profiles, they can also go to coffee-tasting events and workshops.
Kenyan small-scale farmers, and utilising special brewing techniques to get the fullest flavours. Speciality coffee cafes in Nairobi use a variety of brewing techniques, such as pour-over, syphon and cold brew. Artcaffe is among the most well-liked specialty coffee businesses in Nairobi. Since its founding in 2008, Artcaffe has grown to be well-known among the city’s coffee enthusiasts. The café serves delectable pastries and sandwiches in addition to a large assortment of coffee blends and brewing techniques. Pete’s Coffee is another well-liked location, and it’s well-known for its welcoming staff and comfortable ambiance.
Nairobi now has far more specialty coffee shops than it had a few years ago. These coffee shops concentrate on obtaining premium coffee beans, frequently from Kenyan small-scale farmers, and utilising special brewing techniques to get the fullest flavours. Speciality coffee cafes in Nairobi use a variety of brewing techniques, such as pour-over, syphon and cold brew. Artcaffe is among the most well-liked specialty coffee businesses in Nairobi. Since its founding in 2008, Artcaffe has grown to be well-known among the city’s coffee enthusiasts. The café serves delectable pastries and sandwiches in addition to a large assortment of coffee blends and brewing techniques. Pete’s Coffee is another well-liked location, and it’s well-known for its welcoming staff and comfortable ambiance.
Book -themed cafe
A book-themed cafe in Nairobi will make you feel like you’re at home if you’re a book fan. With book shelves accessible for patrons to peruse while sipping coffee or tea, these cafes provide a distinctive ambience. Located in the centre of Nairobi’s CBD, Book stop Cafe is one such cafe. Because of its large book collection and comfortable ambiance, the cafe is well-liked by both professionals and students. Book point Cafe, situated in Westlands, is an excellent alternative. With a large assortment of books and a comfortable reading nook, this cafe has a similar vibe.
Art inspired cafe
Kuona Trust Art Cafe is definitely worth a visit if you’re an art enthusiast. This cafe is situated in the hip Kilimani neighbourhood and has a lively atmosphere reminiscent of an art gallery. The cafe serves small appetisers, baked pastries, and a variety of coffee and tea selections. The cafe is a terrific place to spend an artistic afternoon because of its interior décor, which features original artwork. Kuona Trust is a fantastic place for art fans because, in addition to the cafe, it conducts a variety of art activities and exhibitions.
Eco Cafe
You should go to Eco Cafe if you’re enthusiastic about environmental friendliness and sustainability. Using eco-friendly materials in both building and design is the main focus of this distinctive cafe. Along with a menu of vegetarian and vegan options, the café serves a variety of fair-trade and organic coffee and tea selections. With programmes like composting and recycling, the cafe is dedicated to sustainability even outside of its food offerings. Eco Cafe is the place to go if you want a guilt-free coffee experience.

Role of Coffee Board of Kenya
In order to support coffee marketing initiatives, the colony founded the Coffee Marketing Board (CMB) in 1946, ten years after the inaugural coffee auction. It started operating in July 1947 but was replaced by the Coffee Board of Kenya (CBK) in 1971. The CBK is in charge of marketing all coffee exports from Kenya. It was founded as an independent organisation in 1982 by an Act of Parliament (modified in 1999) with the goal of fostering, developing, and coordinating coffee production and marketing activities in Kenya. Additionally, it establishes benchmarks for quality and keeps an eye on them in factories and processing mills around the nation.
The major objective of the CBK is to guarantee that Kenyan coffee maintains its competitiveness in the global market and keeps producing much-needed foreign cash. The board has accomplished this by launching a number of programmes that enhance productivity, guarantee farmers get paid fairly for their goods, and enhance quality control. In order to do this, the CBK established an electronic auction system in 1998 that enables online bidding for all varieties of coffee produced by Kenyan growers and dealers.
Why Do People Love Kenya Coffee So Much?
Famous Arabica coffee from Kenya is grown at elevations between 4,900 and 6,800 feet (1,494 – 2,073 metres) in the Western Highlands, Mount Kenya, and Mount Elgon. The coffee bean from this country has distinct qualities because of these altitudes. As you can see, the elevation promotes sluggish growth in the coffee trees, giving the plants plenty of time to mature. Every sip reveals a rich, vibrant flavour profile derived from the coffee cherries’ abundant access to nutrients due to their sluggish growth. As a result, Kenya’s distinct topography greatly influences the country’s distinct flavour profile, which combines sweetness, acidity, and fruity overtones. Imagine notes of lavender and roasted almonds mixed with flavours of blackcurrant, honey, and caramelised sugar, peaches, and citrus.
