WE DISPATCH COFFEES ON FRIDAY, WITH CUTOFF ON THE PRECEEDING WEDNESDAY
VELVET BERRY
Flavour notes: BLACKBERRY, VANILLA, and TOFFEE
Velvet Berry is a bright Kenyan coffee with vibrant acidity, clean sweetness, and a crisp, refreshing finish.
Produced at Ngungu-ini Factory, part of the long-established Kibiriwi Farmers Cooperative Society in Kirinyaga County, this coffee is a classic, high-quality Kenyan washed lot, defined by clarity, structure, and lively acidity. Fully washed and sun-dried, it delivers a clean, expressive cup that highlights everything Kenya is known for: brightness, precision, and layered flavour. Expect a vibrant profile with crisp acidity, fresh fruit character, and lots of sweetness.
This is a coffee for people who enjoy freshness and complexity, but still want something repeatable and well composed. The clean washing and careful separation by density produce a cup that feels transparent and precise, making it especially rewarding for those who enjoy nuanced, origin-driven coffees. It’s lively without being sour, structured without feeling rigid, and delivers a refreshing drinking experience that works equally well as a daily filter or an expressive espresso.
We chose this coffee for its clarity, structure, and classic Kenyan profile. It’s a textbook example of how careful processing and the right growing conditions can deliver brightness and complexity without sacrificing balance.
If you’re looking for a clean, vibrant Kenyan coffee that delivers freshness, structure, and unmistakable character, this one is a great option.
Producer
Ngungu-ini Factory is located in Kirinyaga County, just outside the town of Karatina, an area widely regarded as one of Kenya’s premier coffee-growing regions. Established in 1958, the factory is part of the Kibiriwi Farmers Cooperative Society, which also includes Ragati, Kianjage, Mukangu, Kiangai, Kibingoti, Thunguri, Chewa, and Kibiriwi factories. Together, they form a network deeply rooted in the traditions and standards of Kenyan coffee production.
The factory sits at an altitude of 1,600-1,800m, where cool mountain air, rich red volcanic soils, and consistent rainfall of 1,400-1,600 mm per year create ideal conditions for growing high-quality coffee. Around 1,200 active smallholder members contribute cherries from their family plots, cultivating varieties such as SL28, SL34, and Ruiru 11. These cultivars are celebrated for their cup quality, resilience, and suitability to Kenyan conditions.
Cherries are handpicked and delivered to the wet mill the same day, where they are carefully sorted to remove underripe and overripe fruit. Clean mountain water is used during pulping, and beans are separated by density before fermenting overnight. Once fermentation is complete and the mucilage has broken down, the coffee is thoroughly washed and passed through traditional washing channels, where manual agitation helps further separate the highest-quality beans. Drying takes place on raised beds under close supervision until the parchment reaches ideal moisture levels of 10-12%, after which the coffee is bagged and transported to the dry mill.
Ngungu-ini Factory is more than a processing site, it’s a community hub where generations of farmers have come together to produce coffee that reflects both the richness of their land and the depth of their experience. The factory continues to uphold a legacy of quality, sustainability, and pride rooted in the traditions of Kirinyaga.
Product information
Our coffee bags use eco paper, which can be processed like normal paper. Simply separate the tin tie from the bag, and put both straight into the recycling.
Please see the top of this page for information on when your order will be shipped. We use Royal Mail 48 as standard.
As coffee is a perishable product, we are unable to offer returns.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Coffee
What are the different coffee categories: Benchmark, Exceptional, Future and Competition?
Our Benchmark coffees are reliable, classic profiles that consistently deliver exactly what you’d expect. They’re approachable, easy to dial in, and perfect for everyday brewing - the kind of coffees you can happily return to again and again.
Our Exceptional coffees are bright, expressive, and full of character. These are the lots that surprise us, excite us, and remind us why we fell in love with coffee in the first place.
Our Future coffees sit at the edge of discovery. From pioneering processing methods to cutting-edge coffee genetics, these lots offer a glimpse into where coffee is headed next.
Our Competition coffees push boundaries. Rare, complex, and meticulously honed, these are standout lots we believe have the potential to shine on the competition stage
What coffee should I buy for espresso vs filter?
All of our coffees are omni-roasted, meaning they’re designed to perform beautifully as both espresso and filter. Rather than roasting for a single brew method, we focus on highlighting the coffee’s character and sweetness across different brewing styles.
How is your coffee roasted?
We roast most of our coffees as omni roasts, designed to work beautifully across different brew methods. Our focus is always on clarity and balance, highlighting the coffee’s natural character while keeping it clean, expressive, and enjoyable.
How long should I rest your coffee for?
Rest time can vary depending on the coffee and your personal taste, but as a general guide we recommend allowing at least 7 days of rest before brewing. Our coffees typically taste at their best for up to 5 weeks after roasting.
How can I recycle your packaging?
Our coffee bags should be recycled with soft plastics. Many large supermarkets offer soft plastic recycling collection points.
Is your coffee ethically sourced?
Yes. We work directly with some of the best coffee producers in the world, many of whom we know personally. We’re careful to ensure responsible practices throughout the supply chain, from the farm all the way to your cup.
Orders
I’d like to amend or cancel my order
We process orders quickly, so changes or cancellations aren’t always possible. If you need to make an update, contact our team on roastery@formative.coffee as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to help.
There’s an error with my order
Email us at roastery@formative.coffee with your order number and a brief description of the problem, and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
Dispatch
When will my coffee be dispatched?
We roast and dispatch orders every Friday. The cut-off for orders is midnight on the preceding Wednesday.
How long will my coffee take to arrive?
We ship all orders via Royal Mail 24 Tracked. Deliveries typically arrive within 1–2 working days after dispatch.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is £3.45 for orders under £50. Orders over £50 qualify for free shipping. Subscriptions of any amount qualify for free shipping too.
Do you ship internationally?
At the moment, we only ship within the UK and do not offer international shipping.
How do I track my order?
You’ll receive a tracking number once Royal Mail collects and processes your order from our roastery. This usually happens on Fridays, our dispatch day.
Tracking says “delivered” but my delivery hasn’t arrived
Royal Mail usually provides proof of delivery with the “delivered” notification email. If you’re still unable to locate your parcel, please contact us at roastery@formative.coffee and we’ll be happy to help.
Subscriptions
How do subscriptions work?
You can subscribe to one of our Benchmark coffees and receive the same reliable, classic coffee on a schedule - every 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks.
You can also subscribe to our Exceptional category. With this option, we select a standout coffee from our Exceptional range and deliver it to you on your chosen schedule. These coffees are exclusively sourced for the Exceptional subscription and not available for one-off buyers.
How often do you rotate the Exceptional subscription coffee?
We select and source a new coffee for the Exceptional subscription each calendar month.
What are the perks of subscribing to Formative Coffee?
Benchmark Subscriptions (Choc Nuts, Berry Jam and Decaf):
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Free shipping on every subscription delivery
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Discounted rate compared to one-off purchases
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Early access to pre-order Future and Competition coffees before they’re released to the wider public
Exceptional subscriptions:
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Free shipping on every subscription delivery
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Access to exclusive coffees sourced specifically for Exceptional subscribers
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Early access to pre-order Future and Competition coffees before they’re released to the wider public
How long will my subscription take to be delivered?
We roast and dispatch coffee every Friday. Your subscription will be dispatched on the Friday after your order is processed. All orders are shipped via Royal Mail 24 Tracked and typically arrive within 1-2 working days.
When will I be charged for my subscription?
You’ll be charged on the day you subscribe, and then automatically on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis from that date.
How can I pause or cancel my subscription?
You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time through your subscription portal. Simply use the link provided in your subscription confirmation email to manage your deliveries.
How do I amend my subscription delivery frequency?
Simply email us at roastery@formative.coffee and we’ll be happy to help.
Why can’t I subscribe to the Future and Competition categories?
Coffees in our Future and Competition categories are extremely rare and often produced in very small, high-demand microlots. Because we can’t guarantee consistent availability, these coffees aren’t suitable for a subscription model.
However, subscribers do receive priority access to pre-order these coffees before they’re officially released on our website.
I can’t access the subscription portal
Contact our team on roastery@formative.coffee as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to help.
Gift Cards
How do digital gift cards work?
Our digital gift cards can be purchased directly on our website at formative.coffee in values ranging from £10–£100.
If you'd like to purchase a gift card for an amount larger than £100, please contact us via roastery@formative.coffee
Please note: This gift card is only redeemable for coffee orders placed through the Formative website. It cannot be used in the Formative Shop.
Looking for something they can use in the shop instead?
Explore our Formative Shop Gift Card.
Do you sell physical gift cards?
We currently offer digital gift cards only and do not sell physical gift cards.
Partnership coffee
If you'd like to buy this coffee for your business, read more about our partnership options, or get in touch.