Tatu Coffee Estates Limited has emerged as a standout performer at the National Taste of Harvest Kenya 2025–2026 Awards after winning both first and third place in the Washed Arabica category, the most competitive class in the country’s premier coffee quality competition.
The National Taste of Harvest Awards are widely regarded as Kenya’s most prestigious benchmark for coffee excellence, attracting top estates, cooperatives, and processors from across the country. Success in the Washed Arabica category carries particular weight, reflecting Kenya’s global reputation as a leading origin for high-quality specialty coffee.
Recognition for estate-based production
The dual win places Tatu Coffee firmly among Kenya’s top coffee producers and highlights the effectiveness of its estate-based farming and processing model. Unlike small-batch or experimental entries, the award-winning coffees were selected from Tatu Coffee’s regular production, underscoring consistency in quality rather than isolated excellence.
International judges praised the coffees for their complexity and balance, noting flavour profiles that included orange blossom, red berries, marmalade, and jam. The jury also highlighted the coffees’ bright acidity, layered clarity, and sweetness, which intensified with extraction time.
Scale and quality control in Kiambu County
Tatu Coffee owns and operates more than 6,500 acres of established coffee estates in Kiambu County, just north of Nairobi. The scale of these operations allows the company to maintain end-to-end control over farming, harvesting, and processing, while producing volumes suitable for global specialty markets.
The company is owned by Rendeavour, the developer of Tatu City, whose long-term investment strategy supports modern agricultural practices, infrastructure development, and sustainability across its portfolio.
John Sathya, Chief Executive Officer of Tatu Coffee Estates Limited, said the recognition reflects both Kenya’s coffee heritage and the company’s production philosophy.
“For decades, Kenyan coffee has been recognised globally for its exceptional quality. Winning first and third place in the Washed Arabica category confirms that our approach to farming and processing delivers consistent, internationally competitive results,” Sathya said. “This recognition validates our teams’ work and our commitment to producing world-class Kenyan coffee while creating meaningful impact for our people and communities.”
Focus on global specialty markets
Tatu Coffee operates exclusively in the specialty coffee segment, supplying premium washed Arabica to roasters and buyers in Europe, the United States, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. The company targets origin-focused markets that prioritise quality, traceability, and flavour complexity over commodity-grade volumes.
Industry analysts note that consistent recognition at competitions such as the Taste of Harvest strengthens Kenya’s positioning in high-value coffee markets, at a time when global buyers are increasingly selective about quality and sustainability standards.
Contribution to rural livelihoods and sustainability
Beyond quality accolades, the award highlights Tatu Coffee’s role in supporting Kenya’s rural economy. The estates provide thousands of permanent and seasonal jobs, generating income and employment opportunities in coffee-growing communities within Kiambu County.
This investment comes against the backdrop of a long-term national decline in coffee production, with large-scale, professionally managed estates increasingly viewed as one pathway to revitalising the sector.
All Tatu Coffee estates are Rainforest Alliance certified and operate under strict environmental, social, and agricultural standards. Sustainability measures include water recycling, reforestation, ecosystem conservation, and responsible waste management.
The company also places emphasis on worker welfare, offering fair wages, safe working conditions, housing, access to education, and a long-running school meals programme that supports children from estate communities.
