Kenya has a strong identity, and no coffee is truly similar. However, it is worthwhile to compare it to Ethiopia Sidamo. Look for the telltale African acidity and fruitiness in each coffee.

Unlike most origin countries, Kenya has a formal coffee marketing organization that cup tests every lot of coffee before it is sold. Each lot of coffee is cupped and graded, then sold at auction. Starbucks does not buy coffee at the auction; rather, their vendors buy coffees they think Starbucks will like and sends them offer samples. Starbucks® buys coffee primarily on how it tastes, which is why they don't specify Kenya grades such as "AA" or "A". These grades refer solely to bean size.