Ethiopia — Danche Washing Station Heirloom (Natural)

Tastes Like — 🫐 Blueberry • 🍋 Lime • 🍑 Peach

DETAILS

• Washing Station: Danche (SNAP Coffee)
• Region: Chelbesa, Gedeo, Ethiopia
• Varietal: Heirloom
• Process: Natural
• Altitude: 2,000–2,300 masl
• Certification: Organic

INTRO
From the Danche washing station in Chelbesa, Gedeo, owned by SNAP Coffee. Blueberry sweetness leads, with a lime brightness and a peach finish. In the cup: blueberry, lime, and peach.

THE PRODUCER
Danche is owned by SNAP Coffee and is organic certified. The station buys cherries from approximately 400 farmers on fertile soil, farming 1–2 hectares each at 2,000–2,300 masl. The altitude shapes the flavour profile here: harvesting runs later in the season than in other regions, and the prolonged cherry maturation contributes significantly to quality. The Danche team's deep experience in agronomy gives them the freedom to experiment with new processing methods.

SNAP Coffee was founded in Addis Ababa in 2008 by Negusse D. Weldyes and operates three washing stations in Chelelektu, Kochere District, Gedeo, alongside partner stations in Uraga (Guji) and Nensebo (West Arsi), serving an average of 550 farmers per station. It supports smallholder communities by equipping new schools and building roads into less accessible farming areas, with clinics planned.

THE PROCESS
Red cherries are harvested by surrounding farmers and delivered to the station, where they are floated to remove foreign material and floaters. They are then placed on raised African beds and dried for approximately 2 to 3 weeks.

Slow, whole-cherry drying on raised beds is the defining step. It's what builds the blueberry sweetness behind this cup, with the high-altitude, late-maturing cherry keeping the lime and peach lifted rather than heavy.

THE CUP
Bright and sweet: blueberry leads, with lime brightness through the middle and a peach finish.

Flavour Notes
🫐 Blueberry 🍋 Lime 🍑 Peach