Ethiopia Kebede Wako

Coffee producer Kebede Wako has operated his 16.5-hectare farm with his family since 2000 in Chelbesa, home to some of the best coffees in the region. Kebede's farm sits at 2010-2056 meters above sea level in one of Yirgacheffe’s most renowned coffee-growing areas. Coffee grown at higher elevations is associated with higher quality because cooler temperatures slow cherry maturation, allowing more time for complex sugars and flavors to develop. Kebede and his team produce approximately 22.7 tons of specialty coffee on 130 drying beds. After being selectively handpicked, perfectly ripe cherries are dried for 15-21 days, being turned six times daily to ensure even drying. Rain covers are utilized to protect the drying coffee from humidity and cold overnight temperatures. This is one of three single-farmer coffees from our importer Trabocca's project, Operation Cherry Red (OCR) Smallholder Series. The objective is to spotlight outstanding single-farmer coffee producers and focus on traceability through the entire process. Ethiopia has a very complex supply chain where farmers sell cherries to the local washing station and then sell them as regional blends, making it very unique to offer a single estate Ethiopian coffee. This is our first time offering a coffee from Kebede Wako. Cheers!