Ethiopia — Kebede "Highborn" Heirloom (72h Anaerobic Natural)

Tastes Like — 🍓 Strawberry Jam • 🫐 Blueberries • 🥝 Kiwi

DETAILS

• Producer: Kebede
• Region: Gujang, Guji, Ethiopia
• Varietal: Heirloom
• Process: 72h Anaerobic Natural, Sun-Dried
• Elevation: 2,400 masl
• Harvest: November 2025
• Award: 1st Place, Experimental Group, 2026 Ethiopian TOH

INTRO
This 72-hour anaerobic sun-dried Heirloom from smallholder farmer Kebede — locally known as "Highborn" for its high altitude and superior quality — recently won 1st place in the experimental group at the 2026 Ethiopian TOH competition. Sweet strawberry jam meets refreshing blueberry and kiwi fruitiness, in perfect balance of sweet and sour. In the cup: strawberry jam, blueberries, and kiwi.

THE PRODUCER
Kebede manages roughly 2 hectares of coffee in the high-altitude Gugi region, where coffee cultivation is a tradition passed down through generations in his family. The lot is exported by Oboleyan Coffee, a family-owned Ethiopian exporter founded in 2018, specialising in premium specialty coffee from Guji and skilled across washed, sun-dried, honey, and experimental anaerobic methods. Beyond exporting, Oboleyan invests in community development across Guji, including clean water access, educational supplies, and agricultural equipment for growers.

Above 2,400 masl, coffee trees experience a greater temperature swing between day and night, a longer growth cycle, and more sugar accumulation — all contributing to a rarer, higher-quality coffee.

THE PROCESS
Kebede and his family hand-harvest ripe red cherries, which are sealed in anaerobic tanks for 72 hours of controlled fermentation. Under close supervision, they're then slowly dried on racks to maintain cherry structure and prevent over-fermentation.

The 72-hour anaerobic fermentation is the defining step — it's what enhances the natural sweetness and releases the rich, exotic flavour behind the strawberry jam and blueberry character, while maintaining perfect balance — the same precision that earned this processing station its 2026 TOH award.

THE CUP
Sweet and balanced — strawberry jam sweetness leads, with refreshing blueberry and kiwi fruitiness and a perfect balance of sweet and sour throughout.

Flavour Notes
🍓 Strawberry Jam 🫐 Blueberries 🥝 Kiwi