Ethiopia | Chelbesa Espresso

This coffee comes from the famed Chelbesa washing station in Gedeb, Yirgacheffe. Around 1,000 local smallholders, with farms situated between 1,950 and 2,200 MASL, deliver their cherries to be processed at this site. The primary varieties grown here are Kurume and Wolisho. This coffee is juicy and expressive, with prominent flavors of peach jam, grape, and a pastry-like sweetness. We find a coating body and excellent sweetness, which make for a lovely espresso.

Chelbesa is managed by one of our exporting partners, SNAP. Founded in 2008, SNAP operates seven washing stations in key areas of Ethiopia. Each year, some of our favorite lots are sourced through SNAP.

Cherries are collected at peak ripeness. Once floated and sorted, they are depulped, and the seeds undergo dry fermentation for 48-72 hours. After this stage, the seeds are thoroughly rinsed and moved to drying tables, where they are dried on raised beds for 7-10 days.