Background

The word “THIMU” means proverbs. In Kikuyu land the women are known to be hand-working and home makers. The men were planners and most of the time because of being idle they would assemble at the area where the factory is situated and they would spend the day on learning kikuyu proverbs from the older generation. It was then a belief that the more proverbs you knew the more wiser.

This offering comes from the Thimu wet mill. The word thimu means “proverbs” in Kikuyu; in the past, planters would congregate in this spot during breaks to learn Kikuyu proverbs from their elders. These lessons, passed down through generations, were considered essential to wisdom and understanding in the Kikuyu community. Today, the Thimu mill operates in a place steeped with the history of centuries of coffee planters. The Kiringa river provides fresh water, necessary for effective fermentation. About 3000 farmers use the Thimu wet mill to process their harvest.

The Baragwi Farmers Co-op, named after the small village where it is located. It borders with Ngariama and Njuki-ini locations to the East, Kabare and Kirima locations to the West; Mt Kenya to the North and Mwea Division to the South. Rich with volcanic soil, this region is recognized for a smooth body that supports the dynamic acidity which makes Kenyan coffees so unique. The Baragwi Cooperative has more than 16,892 registered members. These members are drawn from the 12 wet mills which form the society. The society has a workforce of 137 staff members out of which 31 are female and 106 are male.

The Society’s head office is situated at Kianyaga market at the end of Kutus/Kianyaga tarmac road. The society was registered in October of 1953 to promote social economic interests of its members, processing and exporting coffee and access to better markets.

Processing Techniques

Fermentation done with Fresh River Water and then sundried on raised beds.