SL28 Coffee – From Kenya to the Colombian Andes
Among the many coffee varieties cultivated today in the specialty coffee sector, SL28 has achieved an almost legendary status. For many baristas, roasters, and coffee professionals, this variety is among the most fascinating coffees in the world.
This variety was selected in Kenya in the 1930s by Scott Agricultural Laboratories. The aim was to find coffee varieties that possessed both good agricultural characteristics and exceptional sensory quality. SL28, in particular, quickly stood out – not because of high yields, but because of its exceptional cup quality.
Coffees from SL28 are known for their precise acidity, intense fruitiness, and aromatic clarity. In Kenya, they often produce coffees with notes of blackcurrant, citrus fruits, and floral nuances. This characteristic aroma has made SL28 famous worldwide.
SL28 in Colombia – A new form of expression
Although SL28 originally comes from East Africa, the variety is now also cultivated in other countries of origin, including Colombia. There it often displays a somewhat different, but equally interesting profile.
The combination of high altitudes, volcanic soils and the diverse microclimate of the Colombian Andes often results in SL28 developing a slightly rounder sweetness here, while retaining its elegant acidity.
Typical sensory impressions of Colombian SL28 can include:
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red fruits
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cherry
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floral sweetness
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an elegant, juicy acidity
This balance makes the variety particularly interesting for filter coffee and high-quality microlots.
Finca Quebraditas – precision work by Edison Argote
The SL28 from Garza Coffee comes from Edison Argote, a Colombian coffee farmer who produces coffee at Finca Quebraditas.
On this farm, coffee is cultivated and processed with great care. The high altitude and local microclimate allow the coffee cherries to ripen slowly, enabling the development of complex sugar structures and aromatic precursors.
Varieties like SL28 are not planted on such farms for their productivity – quite the opposite: they often produce lower yields than other varieties. They are grown because they have the potential to create exceptional cup profiles.
For producers like Edison Argote, this means a great deal of manual labor and a precise understanding of the ripeness levels of the cherries, as well as the subsequent processing. It is precisely this combination of experience, care, and a spirit of experimentation that makes microlots like this one possible.
Why SL28 is so highly regarded among coffee professionals
What makes SL28 special is this variety's ability to show terroir and processing with exceptional transparency in the cup.
When coffee is carefully cultivated, precisely processed, and gently roasted, the result is a cup of coffee with remarkable clarity and depth. Especially in lighter roasts for filter brewing methods, SL28 can unfold an impressive aromatic complexity.
For this reason, this variety is often found in high-quality microlots and even in coffees used in competitions.
SL28 Quebraditas at Garza Coffee
The SL28 Quebraditas from Garza Coffee showcases the elegant side of this exceptional variety. In the cup, notes of cherry and red fruits unfold, accompanied by a delicate sweetness and a clearly structured acidity.
Especially with filter methods like V60, Origami or Chemex, this coffee can fully develop its aromatic precision and transparency.
For many coffee enthusiasts, SL28 is one of the most exciting ways to discover the diversity of coffee varieties – and this microlot from Edison Argote from Finca Quebraditas is an impressive example of this.
