Chania Estate has been managed by the Harries family for several generations. The estate, named after a nearby river, stands as a cornerstone of the family’s coffee-growing heritage. Some coffee trees were already present before the family acquired the land, but production gradually expanded to become the estate’s main activity. Today, Chania is recognized for the diversity of its varieties.
The estate cultivates French Mission (MF), a variety known for its large trees, high yield, and sizable beans. It also grows SL varieties (SL28 and SL34), two of the renowned cultivars developed by the Scott Agricultural Laboratories in Kenya. While these varieties produce high-quality beans, they are susceptible to disease. To address this, the estate introduced Batian, a disease-resistant alternative offering comparable cup quality. This newer variety was specifically selected for its resistance to Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) and leaf rust. Another cultivated variety, Ruiru 11, is valued for its high yield, resilience, and adaptability to high-density planting systems.
More recently, the farm has started experimenting with Panama and Gesha varieties, still in development, as well as K7, appreciated for its resistance to leaf rust.
Chania Estate also integrates sustainable practices into its agricultural approach. Once widely planted, macadamia trees are gradually being replaced by more coffee trees. The estate is also reducing pesticide use in favor of more organic farming techniques. Livestock farming, particularly cattle, contributes to sustainability by providing milk for workers and manure for natural fertilization. Today, it is one of the last two remaining medium-sized coffee farms in Kenya.
The farms employ about 40 full-time workers, but during harvest season, up to 300 people are needed for coffee picking and processing. A kindergarten has also been established on the farm to care for workers’ children.
The coffee harvest is done entirely by hand, and all coffees are processed on site. Most are washed coffees, but Boyce also produces natural, honey, and single-variety microlots.
