Size: 12oz Roast: Light
Tasting Notes
This light-bodied Ethiopian Yirgacheffe showcases the distinctive character of the Chelchele G1 varietal. Expect a refined cup with delicate floral aromatics—jasmine and rose hips—complemented by bright citrus and stone fruit notes of lemon and melon. A subtle tea-like quality rounds out the profile, making this washed coffee an excellent choice for those seeking complexity in a nuanced, approachable brew.
Origin Notes:
Chelchele Washing Station
Sourced from the Chelchele Washing Station in Yirgacheffe's Banko Chelchele district, this coffee represents the collaborative effort of 368 smallholder farmers across 406 hectares. Grown at elevations between 1,800–2,200 meters in nutrient-rich clay soils beneath native shade trees, traditional Ethiopian varietals like Kurmue, Dago, and Wolisho thrive in ideal conditions. Under the stewardship of Mebiratum Atseba, the station maintains rigorous quality standards and complete traceability, consistently producing clean, expressive coffees that exemplify the region's finest offerings.
Washed Processing
This Grade 1 lot undergoes a meticulous washed process designed to showcase Yirgacheffe's signature clarity and brightness. Hand-sorted ripe cherries are pulped and fermented for 36–48 hours, allowing controlled mucilage breakdown before a 6–8 hour soak in fresh water. The beans are then dried on raised beds over 6–7 days, carefully monitored to achieve optimal moisture levels of 10–12%. Each step reflects the precision and intentionality that defines premium Ethiopian washed coffees, resulting in a clean, expressive cup.
Yirgacheffe Region
Yirgacheffe, nestled in Ethiopia's Gedeo Zone, stands among the world's most prestigious coffee origins, shaped by exceptional altitude, mineral-rich soils, and distinctive microclimatic conditions. The region's coffees are prized for their vibrant citrus character, delicate tea-like structure, and elegant floral notes. Banko Chelchele, in particular, has earned recognition for balancing complexity with refinement—delivering coffees that combine lively acidity with nuanced sweetness, making them standouts within an already exceptional terroir.
Ethiopian Coffee History
Ethiopia's legacy as coffee's ancestral home spans centuries, from its wild coffee forests to the smallholder farms that sustain the tradition today. Yirgacheffe emerged as a global benchmark during the 20th century, celebrated for washed coffees of remarkable distinction and complexity. Each micro-region within Ethiopia contributes its own terroir expression, and this Chelchele G1 exemplifies that heritage—a coffee that honors generations of cultivation expertise while delivering the quality and character that define Ethiopian coffee's enduring reputation in the specialty market.
