Cupping Notes
The grounds of this coffee smell tart and creamy. The fermented smell is appealing and sweet, like the smell of peach schnapps. While the first thing that hits your tongue registers pineapple, and we each had this thought individually without the other's knowledge, it fades to more of a caramelized pineapple flavor. There is discernible tartness, which is the citric acid at work satisfying all those who love this natural process coffee. However, there is no baggage of grassy or jasmine or bergamot oil in this coffee--it is all fruit and fun. As it cools, deeper chocolate tones arise; but the complexity does not fade and it is fantastic even completely cold. We cupped this coffee at an 87 in the shop, but some may think it tastes more like a 90-point coffee. We wouldn't fault you for this in the slightest!
Ethiopia Sidama Natural
$15.75 – $147.00
Roast: Light
Region: Sidama Bombe
Farm: Basha Bekele Family
Process: Natural
Elevation: 2,231m
Variety: Heirloom
Cup: Pineapple, Caramel, Peach
Farming Notes
Finally, our long-awaited single-family microlot coffee from Ethiopia has arrived! This is based on our recent partnership with Catalyst Trade who is helping to make direct-trade possible with families in Ethiopia. For decades, Ethiopian coffee has lacked a real connection to people and mainly only had an area’s mill name attached to the coffee. However, this coffee is not from a mill but from a person and their farm—meaning, it is not a mix of different people’s coffee, but it’s a single lot all unto itself. This allows for much higher standards and fine-tuning in the processing methods that create the amazing product we get to drink. Basha Bekele owns this single-grower farm, and Asnake Bekele (the real forerunner in helping this happen) oversees the farm to produce high-scoring specialty grade coffees. Basha spent time with Catalyst last year learning how to continue improving the farm they operate, and we are so thankful to Catalyst for establishing this connection and education.