Duwancho Washed

The washing station where this coffee was produced is located in the kebele (local village) of Duwancho, in the centre-south of Ethiopia, near Bensa in Sidama. It is one of the highest coffee growing regions in the country.

At approximately 2,250m above sea level, Duwancho produces exceptional lots. The site has several natural advantages, its high elevation, the surrounding region’s micro-climate and soil characteristics and access to fresh, clean water.

Most families that contribute to the site farm organically on tiny plots of land, averaging less than one hectare in size. Coffee is their main cash crop and grows alongside food crops of corn, grain and bananas under the shade of native Birbira, Wanza, and Acacia trees.

For this lot, carefully hand-picked coffee cherries were delivered to the Duwancho washing station, where they were carefully sorted, then pulped within 6-8 hours from picking and floated to select only the ripest and highest quality cherries.

Then, these went through a traditional Ethiopian washed method. The parchment-covered coffee is soaked in tanks of clean water from the local river Lugita, where it ferments for 48 hours. During this time, the water is replaced twice to ensure no spoilage occurs. This water also adds to the temperature stability of the fermentation, keeping it at an ambient 20.5–21.5˚C.

The beans are then dried on raised drying beds under a parabolic shade for up to 21 days, depending on weather conditions. During this time, the coffee is again sorted for defects and turned so it dries consistently. Finally, once it has reached the desired humidity, it’s rested, milled, packed and made ready for export.

This lot features a variety catalogued by the Jimma Agricultural Research Centre (JARC) as 74148. Especially when grown at high altitudes, it has a fruity and multi-layered flavour profile.

We taste meyer lemon, melon-like acidity and deep sweetness similar to dates.

Location:  Arbegona, Sidama
Producer: Various smallholders
Varietal:    Local Landraces
Process:    Fully washed
Altitude:   2,000 - 2,500 m.