We taste: honeysuckle, peach, sweet tea

Wet Mill/Washing Station: Halo Beriti
Region: Gedeb, Yirgacheffe
Processing Method: Washed (Grade 1)
Elevation: 2100-2300 msl
Variety: Ethiopian Heirloom Varieties

Halo Beriti Washing Station in the Yirgacheffe ("Ir-ga-CHEF-ay") region of southern Ethiopia was established in 2014 and serves 750 smallholder producers who deliver their coffee in cherry form. This particular lot is part of a "special preparation" in which hand-sorting was done repeatedly throughout the receiving and drying process, ensuring that only perfect coffees made it into the bags.

Coffees in Ethiopia are typically grown on very small plots of land by farmers who also grow other crops. The majority of smallholders will deliver their coffee in cherry to a nearby washing station or central processing unit, where their coffee will be sorted, weighed, and paid for or given a receipt. Coffee is then processed, usually washed or natural, by the washing station and dried on raised beds. Typically farmers in this region don't have access to and therefore do not utilize fertilizers or pesticides in the production of coffee. 

When brewed, this washed Ethiopian coffee is complex with subtle notes of peach, apricot and sweet tea, along with delicate florals like honeysuckle, bergamot, and jasmine. Its subtle complexities may be washed out by the addition of cream/milk, so we love it best served black. (But you do you!)

We taste: floral, nectarine, pineapple

Farm: Kateshi
Region: Northern province
Processing Method: Washed
Elevation: 1,300 msl
Varieties: Castillo, Catimor 129, F6
Certifications: Rain Forest Alliance

This uniquely complex coffee comes from the Kateshi Estate in the northern province of Zambia. It’s one of the first coffee estates in Zambia, established in 1972 close to Kateshi village. Back then, its wet processing facilities represented the heart of coffee production in northern Zambia having been the central mill for all coffee produced in the region.

Kateshi has been recognized for boldly challenging the gender stereotypes in Zambia, being the first and only coffee estate to employ women for traditionally male-dominated roles such as driving tractors and even larger equipment like road graders and bulldozers. A strong focus on gender equality makes this coffee directly contribute to the empowerment of women – and this is not restricted to the farm; the new found sense of independence and pride also spills over into the neighboring communities.

When brewed, this washed Zambian coffee is complex with hints of delicate florals like jasmine along with a tangy acidity reminiscent of nectarine and juicy pineapple.

We taste: pomegranate, floral, almond

Farmers: 76 small holder farmers
Region: Cantinil, Huehuetenango
Processing Method: Washed
Elevation: 1,500-1,800 msl
Variety: Bourbon, Catuai, Caturra, Pache

This coffee comes to us from 76 small holder farmers in the highlands of Guatemala, near the border of Mexico. We’ve seen firsthand how hard it is to grow high-quality coffee in this extremely mountainous region, so we have the utmost respect for the people who make it possible.

Coffee farming practices in Guatemala are similar to those of other countries in the region. However, the country has an abundance of water, volcanic soil, and very distinct microclimates compared to its neighbors.

When brewed, this coffee is complex with hints of pomegranate and white grape. Subtle florals like honeysuckle and chamomile emerge as it cools with a pleasantly nutty, almond-like finish. It’s delicious however you serve it!