Alison Tuiyott - Founder
At the Lion Hills Coffee School in Eldoret, Kenya
From the Hills of Kenya to the Heart of America
In the rolling, misty landscapes of Nandi Hills, where the air is rich with the aroma of coffee blossoms, the story of Lion Hills Coffee begins. Here, on the legendary Lion Hills Coffee Farms in Tinderet, generations of farmers have dedicated their lives to cultivating some of the world’s finest coffee. One of those farmers is Edward Barngetuny, a third-generation steward of the land, whose family has perfected the craft of coffee growing over decades.
From this fertile soil, a dream took root—one carried across continents by Alison Tuiyott, a first-generation Kenyan-American with a vision to change the coffee industry in the United States.
A Passion Brewed in Heritage
Alison’s love for coffee was nurtured from childhood, where every morning in her family’s Kenyan home began with the ritual of brewing fresh coffee—coffee that had been grown, harvested, and processed by people she knew. To her, coffee was more than a beverage; it was a story of resilience, tradition, and connection.
But when Alison moved to the United States, she quickly realized something was missing. The coffee she found on supermarket shelves was often far removed from its origins. Prices were high, yet the farmers who had nurtured the beans saw little of the reward. The supply chain was crowded with middlemen, diluting both the quality of the coffee and the fairness of its trade.
That’s when she asked herself: What if coffee lovers in America could experience the true essence of farm-to-cup coffee while ensuring that the hardworking farmers behind each bean were truly valued?
A New Kind of Coffee Experience
Driven by this question, Alison founded Lion Hills Coffee USA LLC, a brand that eliminates unnecessary players in the supply chain, ensuring that every cup tells the authentic story of its origins. With direct sourcing from her cousin’s farm in Kenya, Lion Hills Coffee guarantees freshness, ethical sourcing, and a taste that embodies the rich volcanic soils of Nandi County.
Philadelphia became the first home for Lion Hills Coffee in the United States, a city known for its rich cultural tapestry and appreciation for bold, authentic flavors. From here, the brand is poised to expand, bringing a taste of Kenyan excellence to coffee lovers across the country.
More Than Coffee—A Movement
Lion Hills Coffee USA is more than just a coffee brand; it’s a movement towards a transparent, farmer-first coffee culture. It’s about honouring heritage while innovating for the future. It’s about making sure that when you sip your morning brew, you know exactly where it comes from and who it supports.
With every bag of Lion Hills Coffee, you’re not just buying coffee—you’re becoming part of a story that spans generations, continents, and cultures.
Welcome to Lion Hills Coffee USA. From the slopes of Nandi to your cup—where tradition meets passion, and every sip has a purpose.
Edward Barngetuny - Farmer
At the Lion Hills Farm in Tinderet, Kenya
Born of Courage
Edward Barngetuny is a third-generation farmer and the living legacy behind Lion Hills Coffee—a name rooted deeply in heritage, land, and courage.
The Barngetuny name carries powerful meaning. Translated, it means “Lion Slayer,” a title bestowed upon Edward’s great-grandfather in the late 1800s. A respected warrior, he earned the name through his bravery in hunting lions, an act that symbolized protection and strength within his community.
In Kenyan tradition, names are layered with lineage, so a prefix such as “Arap” is used to signify son of. Edward’s grandfather was known as Arap Barngetuny—meaning son of the Lion Slayer. Edward’s father, in turn, was the grandson of the Lion Slayer, making Edward the great-grandson of a man whose courage still defines the family’s identity today.
Roots in the Hills
The family’s coffee journey began in 1974, when Edward’s grandfather purchased a parcel of land in Tinderet, Nandi County. His vision was diverse and forward-thinking: a farm that would sustain coffee, tea, sugarcane, and dairy. Inspired by his father’s legacy and the rolling hills surrounding the land, he later established Lion Hills, a name that honors both ancestry and place.
A New Chapter in Specialty Coffee
In 2017, Edward Barngetuny ushered Lion Hills into the world of specialty coffee. Partnering with Cross Roads, a missionary school, he began exporting coffee to Germany—marking the farm’s first step onto the global stage.
That same year, Edward pioneered an innovative Natural Anaerobic process, the first experiment of its kind on the farm. This meticulous method allows the coffee cherries to ferment for three days in a sealed, oxygen-free environment with water, resulting in a cup profile defined by mandarin brightness and sweet molasses depth. The remaining washed process follows traditional regional methods, preserving the character of Tinderet.
From Seed to Cup
Edward’s vision extends beyond producing exceptional coffee. He is committed to educating his community and future generations about coffee as both an art and a craft—from seed to cup. At the heart of Lion Hills Coffee is a belief that coffee is more than a commodity; it is an expression of land, heritage, and intention.
Lion Hills Coffee stands today as a bridge between past and future—where legacy fuels innovation, and every cup tells a story of courage, community, and craft.
Vision
Exceptional Kenyan coffee, ethically sourced
Mission
Sustainably crafted Kenyan coffee, rooted in heritage
People
Elevating people through partnership and purpose