SL-34 Coffee Beans – Coffee Hybrid From Kenyan Beans

Kenya is one of the most interesting countries when it comes to coffee. It will be no surprise to say that they have different varieties of this beverage and one of them is SL-34. SL-34 coffee is a sub-variety of Typica coffee beans which are a variety of Arabica beans themselves. These beans are well-suited to high-altitude environments with abundant rainfall (compared to the high altitude SL-28). It is distinguished by plants with dark golden shoot tips and a few green-tipped strains. The laterals grow semi-erect and droop on older main branches.

Compared to SL-28, SL-34 trees are more nutritionally demanding and produce somewhat less. They are very vulnerable to CBD, leaf rot, and pests. It is important to note that this variety is only grown in Kenya. SL stands for Scott Labs.

These plants mature slowly when cultivated at medium to high elevations, producing high-quality, full-bodied coffees with good acidity and nutty, fruity flavors. While there is some disagreement over the quality of SL coffee beans in comparison to others, they are well recognized for dependably producing an excellent cup profile. In this guide, we are going to talk about everything you need to know about this coffee, including its history and top products available on the market.

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The History Of SL-34 Coffee Beans

So, how were these beans exactly created? Its history starts back from the 1930s when Scott Agricultural Laboratories in Kenya selected it. In the Scott Laboratories in Kenya from 1935 to 1939, each tree selection was preceded by the letter “SL.” Due to the fact that Scott Laboratories’ research was typically performed in collaboration with local estate owners in Kabete, SL34 came from a single tree. ‘French Mission’ was its name.

It was in 1893 when French missionaries known as the Spiritans founded a special mission in Bura, where they sowed Bourbon coffee seedlings from La Réunion island. At the end of the 19th century, seedlings from Bura were sent to another French Mission in Saint Austin, where seeds were supplied to settlers interested in growing coffee. This is the genesis of what is known as French Mission coffee. Many people believe that French Mission is just another name for Bourbon because of the historical migration of coffee seeds from La Réunion via the French missionaries. Most recent genetic studies, however, have revealed that SL34 is linked to the Typica genetic group. It’s possible that the initial report about SL34 being chosen from a French Mission population is false.

While SL-34 coffee beans may be found in some locations outside the nation they are by far the most prevalent in Kenya. As a result, they have practically become associated with Kenyan specialty coffee manufacturing. For decades, Kenyans have grown the SL varieties. They have been around far longer than other popular coffee types in the nation, and they are naturally adapted to the environment. It is now believed that SL-series varieties account for up to 80% of all Kenyan coffee exported.

Top 4 SL34 Coffee Brands on Amazon

If you have already been intrigued by this variety of coffee, then it will be natural for you to look for different ways to purchase it. While it is true that SL-34 is very much available in Kenya, not everyone can physically go there – so where should you get it then? Thanks to the internet, it is nowadays possible to get a product even from another side of the world.

In this case, I would recommend using Amazon, as it offers a huge variety of high-quality products, including SL34 coffee brands. In order to save your time, we already did our research on top coffee brands – you can easily check them out in the list down below.

How We Rated Them

We pay attention to the following:

• Price

• Company Background

• Taste

• Shelf-life

• Additives

For more detailed information on how exactly we rate the coffee products we suggest in our guides, click here.

Individual Overviews of Our Top Choices

Simply naming our favorite products will not be enough for you to find out whether a specific product is worth your time, money, and attention. A lot of things might influence your decision-making process. That’s why we decided to do individual overviews of our top choices, stating all important facts and features about each of them. So, get ready to discover your new favorite type of SL34 coffee beans.

Kenya AA SL-34 & SL-28 Blend

We are happy to start our list with a product that is a combination of SL-34 and SL-28 coffee beans. It’s no secret that Kenyan coffee is known for its bright, sweet, and balanced flavor and this one is no exception. Peach Blossom, Orange Zest, and Black Tea notes are present in this one. The good news is that all coffees produced by Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC (this is the company behind this coffee) are roasted in an eco-friendly roaster to reduce carbon footprint. That means that you will not only be buying a good-tasting product but will also be supporting protecting nature.

This coffee from the continent of Africa has a flowery aroma that is similar to that of most wet-processed Kenyan coffees. It is also important to note that this blend offers more wine-like brightness, fruity aroma notes, and a smooth body than other African coffees, but with a less acidic “bite”. So, this one might be a good option for people that have health issues related to high acidity – with this product, you will never have to worry about it ever again.

One 32-ounce package of Kenya AA costs $29.95 which might look a little bit expensive at first, however, I believe that the quality you get is definitely worth it. The package is very informative and in addition, is resealable.

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Unroasted Kenya AA SL-34

The next one we are going to review is unroasted Kenya AA SL-34. What I love most about this product is that it has a lot of taste, yet it isn’t too strong. Within your cup of coffee, you are going to feel notes of citrus, chocolate, and black currant. Most of the time, it is not possible to feel all the flavors that the product description mentions, however, in this case, I was somehow able to discover all flavors.

The good news is that this coffee comes directly from Kenya. Smallholder properties at an altitude of 4,900 ft cultivate it on rich red volcanic soil, so you are able to feel the authentic taste of SL-34 coffee beans. The Bourbon SL34 Arabica variety is cultivated on these plantations in the shadow of Macadamia, Grevillea, and Eucalyptus trees. I would like to mention the fact that in order to get the best possible taste, it might be a good idea to try different brewing methods as a lot depends on the technique that you decide to use.

All in all, why is it a good idea to purchase SL-34 coffee beans? Due to the fact that this product comes with great taste, freshness, and reasonable price, I believe that this one is definitely worth trying.

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Kenya AA Gourmet SL-34

Kenya AA Gourmet SL-34 is a rich Kenyan coffee with hints of syrupy plum, chocolate, and lemon, with a sweet aftertaste. This product consists entirely of Arabica coffee beans which have double the flavor and fragrance of its cousin Robusta coffee.

It won’t be a surprise to say that this coffee is derived from the well-known SL-28 and SL-34 varietals, which offer unrivaled sweetness and a complex taste profile. SL-34 is one of Africa’s most well-known and highly valued cultivars. With its sweet plum taste, thicker texture, and cola-like qualities, this coffee will actually be able to provide a lot to your coffee drinking experience. From my personal experience, I can say that this one does not taste anything like other products we have mentioned above. However, the taste was not very strong with the French press, that’s why I would advise trying other methods as well.

All in all, if you want to buy organic SL34 coffee that is unique, this one might be the best option. Price is also competitive, and the overall quality of the product is more than satisfactory.

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Kenya AA Grade Single Origin

The last on our list is Kenya AA-grade single-origin coffee that comes with unroasted beans. This one might be a perfect choice for people that love taking part in the process of developing coffee – starting from roasting, continuing with brewing, and ending with a good-tasting cup of coffee.

I will be honest, with these SL34 beans, I had to entirely alter my roasting process since this coffee contains so many fragrant oils that it’s difficult to get the roast exactly right. Getting all the oils to convert without burning or baking is the key to a perfect roast. In order to get a consistent color, the beans should be dark or darker than City+ while maintaining a totally dry surface and having some light-colored dust on top. Overall, the process might look a little difficult at the beginning but after a few tries, you will definitely be able to roast to perfection. A little less roasting will still give you a wonderful smooth flavor, whether you’re using it for a French Press or Espresso machine.

For a 5-pound package of this product, you will have to pay $36.95 – however, you can also choose a 3-pound version which naturally costs less and comes with a smaller bag.

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Frequently Asked Questions on SL-34 Coffee Beans