Tasting Notes
FLAVOR: Strawberry • Blackberry • Toffee • Chocolate
BODY: Medium
ACIDITY: Bright
Size: 12 oz
Roast: Light
Origin Notes
Ethiopia | Yirgacheffe Banko Chelchele
From the celebrated coffee-growing highlands of southern Ethiopia comes this remarkable Grade 1 Yirgacheffe from Banko Chelchele. Produced by smallholder farmers in the Gedeb district of the Gedeo Zone, this coffee is grown at elevations of approximately 1,900–2,000 meters above sea level.
These high elevations, combined with Ethiopia’s diverse heirloom coffee varieties, create the conditions for an exceptionally aromatic and fruit-forward cup.
Roasted in small batches at Hill Tree Roastery, this single-origin coffee offers layers of strawberry and blackberry balanced by rich toffee sweetness and a smooth chocolate finish.
Banko Chelchele | Small Farms, Exceptional Coffee
Banko Chelchele is a coffee-growing community located in the heart of the Gedeb district. The area is home to several hundred smallholder farmers, many of whom cultivate only one or two hectares of land.
Coffee grows alongside food crops and beneath natural shade on mineral-rich soils. Farmers carefully harvest ripe coffee cherries and deliver them to the Banko Chelchele processing station, which is operated by EDN Ethiopian Coffee.
The combination of high elevations, traditional farming practices, and careful cherry selection helps make coffees from this region some of the most distinctive in Ethiopia.
Supernatural Anaerobic Processing
This coffee undergoes a special process known as a Supernatural, or anaerobic natural, process.
After harvesting, whole ripe coffee cherries are carefully sorted and placed inside sealed tanks, where they ferment without oxygen for approximately 24 hours. The cherries are then moved to raised drying beds and slowly dried in the sun for two to four weeks.
Fermenting and drying the coffee inside the fruit intensifies its natural sweetness and creates a more expressive flavor profile. The result is a clean yet adventurous cup filled with ripe berry flavors, caramelized sweetness, and chocolate depth.
What Makes Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee Unique?
Ethiopia is widely recognized as the birthplace of coffee and is home to thousands of naturally occurring coffee varieties. Yirgacheffe coffees are especially prized for their bright acidity, floral aromas, and vibrant fruit characteristics.
This Banko Chelchele lot takes that classic Ethiopian profile in a richer direction. Strawberry and blackberry flavors rest on a foundation of honey and toffee sweetness, while subtle chocolate notes create a smooth, satisfying finish.
Its medium roast preserves the coffee’s fruit-forward personality while developing a rounder body and deeper sweetness.
Why You’ll Love This Coffee
If you enjoy coffees with bold fruit flavors and natural sweetness, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Banko Chelchele is an unforgettable choice.
Expect a lively first sip featuring strawberry and blackberry, followed by rich toffee sweetness and a smooth chocolate finish. Its distinctive anaerobic processing creates a flavor experience that is adventurous and complex without becoming overwhelmingly fermented.
Like every Hill Tree Roastery coffee, it is roasted in small batches to highlight the flavors created by its origin, growing conditions, and processing method.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “anaerobic coffee” mean?
Anaerobic coffee is fermented inside a sealed container with little or no oxygen. This controlled fermentation can intensify the coffee’s natural fruit flavors, sweetness, and aroma.
Does this coffee contain added flavors?
No. The strawberry, blackberry, toffee, and chocolate notes occur naturally through the coffee variety, growing conditions, processing method, and roasting process. Nothing is artificially flavored.
Is this coffee very acidic?
This coffee has a bright, fruit-like acidity typical of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffees. The medium roast and natural toffee sweetness help keep the cup balanced and smooth.
Is this a good coffee for someone new to fruit-forward coffees?
Yes. Although it offers more fruit character than a traditional chocolate-forward coffee, its sweetness and smooth chocolate finish make it approachable for anyone interested in exploring more adventurous single-origin coffees.
What brewing method works best?
Pour-over brewing is an excellent choice for highlighting its strawberry, blackberry, and bright citrus-like qualities. It also performs well in drip coffee makers, AeroPress brewers, and French presses. For the greatest clarity, try using a slightly coarser grind and a moderate coffee-to-water ratio.
Why does Hill Tree Roastery focus on single-origin coffees?
Single-origin coffees allow you to experience the unique flavors created by a particular region, climate, farming community, and processing method. We roast each origin to showcase what makes it distinctive, giving you a genuine taste of where your coffee was grown.
