
The overview
| Countries of origin | Ethiopia |
| Producer | Beshasha |
| Altitude | 1860 - 2160m |
| Varietal | Heirloom |
| Process | Washed |
TheΒ coffee
Grown in the highlands of south-western Ethiopia, the Beshasha lot comes from smallholder farmers delivering cherries to the Beshasha washing station in the Jimma zone. The station works closely with surrounding communities to process carefully selected cherries, paying premiums above local market rates to reward quality and consistency. Sitting at elevations of around 1,900β2,100 metres above sea level, the areaβs fertile soils and cool climate create ideal conditions for slow cherry maturation, contributing to the coffeeβs clarity and balance.
Coffee in Beshasha is cultivated organically under native forest shade, using traditional low-input farming methods passed down through generations. Cherries are selectively handpicked at peak ripeness before being delivered to the washing station, where they are depulped and fermented in water for 36β48 hours. After fermentation, the coffee is thoroughly washed and dried slowly on raised beds, allowing for careful moisture control before resting and final preparation for export.
The Beshasha washing station plays an important role beyond processing, acting as a hub for farmer support and knowledge sharing. By focusing on quality-driven washed coffees, the station helps farmers access specialty markets while preserving the regionβs long-standing coffee-growing traditions. This lot reflects the clean, elegant profile typical of washed coffees from south-western Ethiopia, shaped by both the regionβs terroir and the care taken at every stage of production.
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Why we love it
Ethiopian coffees is one of my favourites to drink; full of floral notes and sweetness.
Calum's Brew Guide
Out: 31-33g
Time: 24-26s
Water: 305g
Ratio: 1:17
This coffee also makes for a delicious cold brew!
Ethiopia coffee
Ethiopiaβs long coffee history predates written records. Arabica plants are native to Ethiopia, and many of the Arabica varieties now cultivated worldwide have their genetic roots in wild coffee growing in Ethiopian forests. With such easy access to wild-growing coffee, it is undoubtable that early people in Ethiopia consumed coffee for centuries before it became the global beverage that it is today.
The long tradition of coffee in Ethiopia has continued into the modern day. Coffee drinking is widespread in both social and cultural contexts and has a place at a wide range of social events. Nearly half of all coffee produced in the country is consumed on the domestic market. Thatβs no small feat for a country that produces some 860 million pounds of green coffee beans annually. Β
Coffee also provides the main income for up to 25% of the population. More than 15 million people grow coffee as their major cash crop. The Ethiopian government also depends on coffee to generate between 25 and 35% of total annual export earnings.
