From Crop to Cup: Privem Estate is a family-run coffee farm with deep roots and a commitment to quality. At the heart of the operation is Patrick Makundi—both the face of the farm and a skilled cupper. If you want to learn about the farm, though, you’ll first meet his wife, Rita Makundi, who oversees daily operations and makes sure everything gets done. She’ll then introduce you to her mother, the farm manager, followed by brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and cousins. Together, they make Privem Estate feel more like a small community than just a coffee farm.

Raised in Embu County and educated in coffee, Rita and Patrick returned home to establish Privem Estate in 2012. Given the small parcel sizes typical of Embu, it took two generations for the family to amass 23 acres of adjoining land on a high plateau with clear views of Mt. Kenya. By 2018, they had enough land to obtain a pulping license, enabling them to separate from the local cooperative and invest in their own wet mill.

2023 Harvest Purchase: In December 2022, we forged fragile but hopeful relationships during our visit. While many farms later sold their coffee elsewhere, Privem Estate showed loyalty and a commitment to quality by offering us first access to their harvest for the second year in a row. This loyalty, combined with an improved cup score, highlights Privem’s potential to be a long-term fixture on our menu.