Kenya has continued to dominate the global stage in the beverages industry after a new ranking placed its coffee ahead of all other brands in quality.
In the ranking carried out by Irish Examiner, a media outlet in Ireland, UK, on Wednesday, July 13, Red Strand, a type of coffee beans grown in Meru, emerged top among those in the pocket-friendly category with a score of 9.5.
An experienced barista, who took part in the tasting, noted that Red Strand espoused a divine smell and was delicious as well.
"We couldn’t find beans on the day, but the ground version was lively with, as described, a shortbread flavour coming through stronger than the redcurrant and blood orange also described. Delicious. Roasted in West Cork. We bought in Bradleys supermarket, Cork," the publication's review noted.
Red Strand, which retails for at least Ksh1,200 in UK for a 250g sachet, was followed by Stone Valley The Ticking of the Clock from Guatemala with a score of 9.25.
The Guatemalan coffee is high in acidity with notes of 'chocolate, lime and grapefruit' and is deliciously sharp (but not bitter) as a black pour-over and more chocolatey in cappuccino.
Other brands that rounded up the top eight include Badger & Dodo from Rwanda, Velo BMX made with Brazillian beans, M&S Collection Sumatran Arinagata beans and Slumberjack Italian Espresso from Italy.
The final two are Lavazza Rossa brewed using Arabica beans as well as Warbler & Wren manufactured with Arabica beans grown in Brazil, Sumatra and Kenya.
In general, the testing exercise included 18 lots of beans that are often grounded and made for black coffee and cappuccino.
"The rejected brands were mainly too bitter with no black flavours to bolster them and provide an interesting experience.
"We could have tried already ground coffee, but the taste of freshly ground beans gave them all a better chance," explained the publication.
For years, Kenya has dominated the globe in beverage production mostly including tea and coffee, with some of its products sold in the luxurious section of supermarkets and eateries abroad.
