ComputerHunter.org

 

Kenya Coffee History


In Kenya coffee production dates back several hundred years. Coffee was originally discovered in Ethiopia, Kenya's neighbor to the north. Unfortunately, just as in other coffee growing regions of the world, the coffee trade in Kenya triggered heated and bloody battles over the prime growing lands. The Arabs, who monopolized the coffee trade for several hundred years, killed and enslaved many thousand Kenyans and put them to work in coffee production both in Kenya coffee fields and on Arabian coffee plantations.

Around 1900 British settlers came to the region to grow Kenyan coffee. As more and more white settlers entered the region conflicts between the natives and the whites arose and led to more bloodshed. The British, being more skilled in the ways of politics and business quickly assumed control of the country.

This only escalated the violence and several native groups organized and revolted violently. The region remained a violent place until around 1960. Then the British relinquished control and granted the Kenyans independence.

All Kenyan coffee is of the Arabica variety, grown on rich volcanic soils in the highlands of Kenya. Approximately 250,000 Kenyans are involved in coffee production. Most coffee is produced by small holders with small plots of land. They are members of cooperative societies which process their own coffee.

There are two flowerings in each season. The blossom normally appears shortly after the beginning of the long rains in March and April. In most districts, the main crop ripens from October until the end of the year. The second and smaller flowering comes with the short rains in October or November. These are picked in the early part of the season, often starting the following June.

During the harvest, only red ripe cherries are picked, and always by hand. This entails frequent picking rounds with each tree picked every ten days or so. After milling, the coffee beans are graded mechanically into various grades which differ in size, weight and shape. The smoothness of its acidity and the subtle notes of its fruitiness make for an exceptional cup of coffee.

Today Kenyan coffee is a major export crop and provides jobs and security in an impoverished nation. As in many other regions of the world coffee has played a key role in development of under-developed countries. And unfortunately, money has driven some ruthless people and governments to place profit ahead of human rights. But as the world becomes more aware of injustices taking place the people of the world unite in support of democracy.

© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.

Randy has more articles on coffee such as Colombian Coffee, Coffee and Alzheimers and Coffee Breaks.







Google News - Top Stories

Thanh Nien Daily

Bush: Olympic boycott would insult Chinese
CNN - 1 hour ago
TOYAKO, Japan (CNN) -- US President George W. Bush has defended his decision to attend next month's Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing, saying that to do otherwise "would be an affront to the Chinese people.
Video: Bush Reassures Japan on North Korean Kidnappings AssociatedPress
Leaders gather for Japan G8 summit Aljazeera.net
International Herald Tribune - TMCnet - The Associated Press - KXMC
all 541 news articles


Canada.com

Crews forge progress against California fires
CNN International - 5 hours ago
SANTA BARBARA, California (CNN) -- Authorities overseeing the battle against hundreds of wildfires in California had a mixed assessment as the weather forecast for Sunday stirred both hope and concern across the state.
Firefighters report progress in California blazes AFP
'Critical day' for growing Goleta fire; Big Sur blaze only 5 ... Los Angeles Times
Disaster News Network - Santa Ynez Valley News - Reuters - Fort Worth Star Telegram
all 933 news articles


Washington Post

Betancourt returning to Colombia 'in a few days' to write play
AFP - 4 hours ago
PARIS (AFP) - Former hostage Ingrid Betancourt said in an interview Sunday she would return to Colombia "in a few days" to write a play about her experience after being held in the jungle for six years.
Betancourt returning to Colombia soon to write play ABC Online
Analysis: Colombia's Uribe rides high after rescue The Associated Press
International Herald Tribune - Xinhua - PRESS TV - Reuters
all 4,402 news articles


Washington Post

Obama "puzzled" by Iraq comment frenzy
Reuters - 6 hours ago
By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent ST. LOUIS (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Saturday his plan to end the Iraq war was unchanged and he was puzzled by the sharp reaction to his statement this week that he ...
Obama says he's 'been very consistent' on Iraq CNN International
Veterans Hit the Battlegrounds Washington Post
New York Times - AFP - Voice of America - Washington Times
all 1,777 news articles


Times Online

Jesse Helms dies at 86; NC senator opposed equal rights
Detroit Free Press - 4 hours ago
Conservative icon Jesse Helms, the former Republican senator from North Carolina, died Friday. He was 86. Helms, who served 30 years in the Senate, died of natural causes in Raleigh, NC, an aide said.
Video: A Look Back At Jesse Helms CBS
Helms never changed on civil rights opposition The Associated Press
Washington Post - Wall Street Journal - Boston Globe - San Jose Mercury News
all 2,340 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base