Dulce de Leche, Blueberry, Lime

Producer: Aricha Wubanchi
Origin: Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia
Varietal: Indigenous Heirloom
Elevation: 2200 masl

This is a grade 1 fully washed microlot from Aricha Wubanchi washing station in Yirgacheffe. Aricha Wubanchi station sits at 2,213masl and is serviced by the Resitay river, processing cherries from 1,700 local smallholder farmers. Farmers in this region typically cultivate Jarc (an Ethiopian heirloom sub-variety) on small plots of land around their house. Hence, these plots are colloquially known as 'garden coffee'.

The Process

Ripe cherries are delivered to the wetmill for careful sorting and pulping, before fermentation for 36-48 hours, depending on the climactic conditions. After this point the parchment coffee is thoroughly washed and graded by bean density before being dried in the sun on raised African beds for 10-12 days (until the ideal moisture level has been reached). In the daytime the parchment needs to be raked and turned peri- odically to ensure a consistent drying process. The coffee is also covered between 12pm and 3pm to protect it from the hot sun, and at night time to protect it from rainfall and moisture. Once the coffee has dried to the right level it is transported to Addis Ababa for dry-milling, grading, intensive sorting and handpicking, before being bagged in GrainPro for export.

The Region

Aricha is located in Yirgacheffe district, Gedeo zone in the ‘Southern Nations, Nationalities & Peoples’ (SNNP) region of Ethiopia. Over a number of years the region has developed a distinguised reputation for fine coffees, producing some of the most sought-after microlots in world. The combination of high altitude (up to 2,200m in some areas), fertile soil, consistent and plentiful rains, and an abundance of local knowledge are all contributing factors to the high status of Yirgacheffe coffees.

The local indigenous ‘heirloom’ varietals - which grow wild in Ethiopia - are responsible for the unique flavour notes which make for an unusual but refined cup. When processed naturally through sun drying these present with juicy and jammy stone-fruit flavours, floral and chocolate notes with a creamy body.