Ethiopian Washed Coffee - Aleta Wendo

Producers: Small local farmers
Region: Aleta Wendo
Altitude: 1,400–2,200m
Variety: Heirloom
Process: Washed

Coming from the Sidamo region, one of the highest areas in the country, where coffee grows between 1,400 and 2,200 metres. The maturation is slow, and this is noticeable in the profile: more defined, complex and bright flavours.

This lot originates in the Aleta Wendo area and is part of a joint effort between the UN (ITC – International Trade Centre) and various local organisations, including NGOs supporting the Farming Accelerator Project, a program that is training 5,000 small farmers to improve productivity sustainably and help make farming a more stable family business.

The project consists of: composting, pruning, plant rejuvenation, intercropping, climate change adaptation, and simple income management. As coffee farming in Ethiopia is predominantly family-based, the program also insists on gender equality and training for women, which makes a real difference in the lives of families.

In the cup, this Aleta Wendo shows a light and very "tea-like" profile, with an elegance reminiscent of Apricot and aromatic Earl Grey. The acidity is precise and fresh, with notes of lemon, resulting from a very clean washed process. The Heirloom variety reinforces that classic Ethiopian character: delicate with a lively finish.