Ethiopia, Sidama

The coffee cherries undergo meticulous processing at the washing station, which for this natural lot includes washing and density sorting, hand sorting on the drying tables, and long hot days under the bright Ethiopian sun to reach optimal moisture readings before being dry-hulled, bagged, and transported to Addis Ababa for export milling before shipment.

FLAVOR: Plum, Cherry, Honey

BODY: Light and Bright

ROAST LEVEL: Light

This coffee comes from growers in Sidama at the base of Bombe mountain. As is customary in much of Ethiopia, the local growers in this area are primarily smallholders, often referred to as “garden farmers.” This term originates from their practice of cultivating coffee in the garden areas surrounding their homes. Additionally, many of these farmers harvest coffee cherries from trees that grow on the land where they reside. This natural occurrence of coffee trees in the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia, is a testament to its rich coffee heritage. In the region surrounding these farms, there are two distinct rainy seasons. The first, known as Belg, occurs during the short rainy period from late Feb-May. Following Belg, the main rainy season, known as Kiremt, spans from June-Sept. The annual rainfall in this area typically ranges from 47 to 78 inches, contributing significantly to the lush vegetation and fertile soil that are conducive to coffee cultivation. These alternating rainy seasons play a crucial role in providing the necessary moisture for coffee plants to thrive and produce high-quality cherries. The Bensa district is situated within the renowned coffee-producing region of Sidama in Ethiopia. This area is celebrated for its high-quality coffee beans, which are sought after by specialty coffee enthusiasts worldwide. Bensa is characterized by its ideal coffeegrowing conditions, including high altitudes, fertile soil, and suitable climate, all of which contribute to the exceptional flavor profile of its coffee. In Bensa, coffee cultivation is typically done by smallholder farmers who employ traditional farming methods, hand- picking the ripe cherries during the harvest season.

ORIGIN: Sidama, Ethiopia

FARM: Small Farmers

ALTITUDE: 2,000-2,230 MASL

VARIETY: 74158, 74112, Mikicho

PRODUCTION METHOD: Natural