ETHIOPIA SIDAMA BEKELE KACHARA G1 NATURAL 2024

• FLAVOR: Blueberry, Tropical Fruit, Jasmine, Melon, Rose
• BODY: Medium
• ACIDITY: Medium
• PROCESS: Natural

 

Bekele Kachara Farm

Bekele Mekonnen has been a coffee farmer in Sidama for over 20 years. Alongside his wife and children, many of whom are directly involved in the family’s coffee business, Bekele strives to produce award-winning coffees through innovation and continuous improvement.

 

Bekele places great importance on observing the growth of the various Ethiopian landrace coffee trees on his farm, differentiating between researched coffee varieties like #74158, #74112, and #74110. Although the cost of organic certification is prohibitive for many smallholders like Bekele, he uses organic compost and agricultural residue to fertilize his trees. His experience working with both independent and cooperative-owned washing stations in Sidama has provided him with extensive knowledge of coffee processing and quality control.

 

To enhance the pre-drying process, Bekele has constructed shaded drying beds on his farm, allowing the natural process coffee cherries to dry gradually. His careful approach results in delightful flavor notes such as blueberry, tropical fruit, jasmine, melon, and rose in this G1 lot of quality Ethiopian green coffee.

 

Sidama Green Coffee Beans

Coffee from Sidama has historically been misnamed "Sidamo," an error dating back to the 1880s annexation of the area. The Sidama people prefer the name "Sidama," associating the "Sidamo" label with the suppression of their identity. This region, home to nearly 8 million people with distinct cultures and traditions, is renowned for its high-elevation coffee. With elevations ranging from 1,550 to 2,200 masl and a microclimate featuring ample rainfall and optimal temperatures, Sidama produces coffee known for its crisp acidity and full body. Approximately 40% of coffees from Sidama are natural (dry) processed and roughly 60% are washed.

 

Quality Grades For Ethiopian Coffee

In Ethiopia, coffee grading is based on both physical and cup qualities, including altitude, imperfections, and flavor. The grades range from 1 (highest) to 9 (lowest), with grades 1 and 2 classified as specialty coffee.

 

Ethiopia Green Coffee Beans

Ethiopia, the birthplace of Arabica coffee, contributes only 3-4% of the world's coffee supply, but the variety of flavors from this origin is remarkable. Ethiopian green coffee is celebrated for its bright fruit and floral notes, exceptional acidity, and sweetness. Among the many coffee-growing districts, Yirgacheffe, Sidama, and Guji stand out for their distinctive cup profiles.