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What is SL28 & SL34 coffee? Origin & Flavor Profile | Hälla Coffee Roastery
Hälla Kafferosteri |11/08, 2026
SL28 & SL34 – The Coffee Varieties That Define Kenyan Coffee Culture
If you've ever had a Kenyan coffee that surprised you with its vibrant acidity, juicy berry notes and full body, chances are it was SL28 or SL34 .
These two icons account for the lion's share of all coffee exports from Kenya and are considered some of the most appreciated and sought-after varieties in the entire specialty coffee world.
👉 Do you want to learn more about different arbacia varieties?
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Origins and History: Scott Laboratories in the 1930s
What do the letters "SL" actually stand for? The abbreviation refers to Scott Agricultural Laboratories , a British research station in Kenya where agronomists selected and bred coffee bushes in the 1930s.
The goal was to identify varieties suited to the Kenyan highlands – plants that could produce high yields and withstand drought or heavy rain, while delivering an outstanding flavor profile in the cup.
The result was SL28 and SL34. With their genetic roots in the Bourbon family, both varieties have become a cornerstone of East African coffee culture and are now also spreading to countries in Latin America such as Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama.
What distinguishes SL28 from SL34?
Although often grown side by side on the same coffee farms, the two varieties have their own botanical and cultivation characteristics:
| Property | SL28 | SL34 |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic background | Selected from "Tanganyika Drought Resistant". | Selected from French Mission trees. |
| Primary strength | Absolutely outstanding drought resistance. | Adapted for higher altitude and more abundant rainfall. |
| Appearance | Tall shrubs with greenish shoot tips. | Tall bushes with dark bronze-colored shoot tips. |
| Cultivation requirements | High yield, but sensitive to coffee rust and berry diseases. | Slightly lower yield than SL28 and requires nutritious, volcanic soil. |
How do SL28 & SL34 feel in the cup?
What makes these varieties so iconic among coffee lovers is the complex and distinctive flavor profile:
Iconic berry acidity: Both varieties are renowned for their full-bodied, vinous acidity with distinct notes of blackcurrant (cassis) , blackberry and fresh citrus.
Complex flavor nuances: High-quality lotteries often have an umami-like, complex structure with hints of tropical fruit and floral undertones.
Full-bodied: Unlike many other fruity coffees that are lighter in body, SL coffee has a juicy, almost syrupy mouthfeel with a lingering aftertaste.
How does roasting affect your taste experience?
Roasting SL28 and SL34 is a delight for the roast master, but it requires precision to avoid losing the unique tones:
Dense beans from high altitudes: The beans are often grown at high altitudes, making them dense and harder than average. This allows them to withstand heat well and develop a fantastic caramel sweetness during roasting.
Preserve the fresh acidity: To bring out the coffee's characteristic blackcurrant and citrus notes, we at Hällå Kafferosteri roast these beans gently (light to medium roast). This way you get a fresh, juicy cup where the natural elegance of the raw material takes center stage.
The future of SL varieties
Despite their great flavor profile, SL28 and SL34 face challenges. Both plants are susceptible to fungal diseases such as coffee leaf rust and coffee berry disease (CBD). Kenya has developed resistant hybrids such as Ruiru 11 and Batian , but many specialty coffee roasters and coffee lovers still consider SL28 and SL34 to be unbeatable when it comes to depth and elegance of flavor.
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Have a nice day!
/ Kaj and Dan, Hälla Coffee Roastery