CHELBESSA — GEDEB, GEDEO, ETHIOPIA

THE CUP

Radiant and expressive. Strawberry, nectarine, and florals lead the cup, wrapped in multi-dimensional sweetness and balanced acidity. Silky fruit tones unfold with every sip—bright citrus, moon grape, and passionfruit linger over a tea-like body with waves of candied fruit. Clean, complex, and beautifully articulate from hot to cool.

Producers: ~1,000 smallholder farmers
Washing Station: Chelbessa
Region: Gedeb, Gedeo, Ethiopia
Variety: Ethiopian Landrace (Kurume, Wolisho, and others)
Elevation: 1,950–2,200 masl
Harvest: December 2024 – January 2025
Process: Washed (2–3 days dry fermentation, 7–10 days raised-bed drying)

THE PRODUCERS

Around a thousand smallholder farmers from the Chelbessa community deliver their cherries to the Chelbessa Washing Station. These producers tend tiny garden plots averaging just a few hectares, sitting at 2,000 meters above sea level. Their careful picking and cultivation of indigenous Ethiopian varieties—Kurume, Wolisho, and unnamed local landraces—are the foundation of this coffee’s extraordinary depth and purity.

THE PROCESS

Upon arrival at the station, freshly harvested cherries are floated to remove underripes, then de-pulped and dry-fermented for two to three days. After washing, the coffee is dried on raised African beds for 7–10 days, turned frequently to ensure even drying. The result is a refined and transparent profile that captures the nuance and high-altitude clarity of Gedeb’s terroir.

WHY WE LOVE IT

Chelbessa continues to deliver some of Ethiopia’s most captivating coffees—and this lot may be our favorite yet. It’s layered, graceful, and alive with fruit, offering both sweetness and sparkle in perfect balance. A stunning washed Ethiopian that reminds us why we fell in love with coffee in the first place.

Tasting Notes: Strawberry, Nectarine, Floral, Multi-dimensional sweetness & acidity

What is the roast recency?

We recommend brewing with beans that are at least two weeks off roast. All beans are roasted to peak flavour at around 6-12 weeks. We have the option to either purchase standard beans (at least 2 weeks but no longer than 6 weeks off roast), or rested beans (at least 7 weeks off roast, no longer than 12 - should we have any left in stock!). For peak flavour, if you are looking to use immediately, we recommend purchasing the rested beans. If you are adding to your rotation of beans, we recommend purchasing the standard and allowing the beans to naturally rest and mature whilst you rotate through other beans.