UDESA FORA — GUJI, ETHIOPIA

THE CUP

Clean, bright, and expressive. Juicy purple fruits—blackberry, plum, and apricot—lead the cup, rounded by light peach and soft florals. The structure is firm and lively, with medium sweetness and a sparkling berry acidity that carries through to the finish.

Washing Station: Udesa Fora
Region: Sukke Chiga, Kercha, Guji, Ethiopia
Variety: Ethiopian Landrace (74112, 74158)
Altitude: 1,900–2,100 masl
Harvest: December 2024 – January 2025
Process: Washed (72h fermentation, 8–12 days raised-bed drying)

THE PRODUCERS

Udesa Fora, meaning “resting under a tree,” is managed by Mekonnen Beriso and sources cherries from 300–400 local smallholders. Each farmer tends 1–2 hectares of semi-forested land, where heirloom varieties thrive under the canopy of native trees. The station’s high elevation and natural shade create a cool, slow-ripening environment ideal for building sweetness and depth.

THE PROCESS

Only fully ripe cherries are selected and delivered to the washing station, where they’re depulped and fermented for 72 hours in clean tanks. After washing, parchment coffee is dried on raised African beds for 8–12 days, turned frequently to ensure even drying and covered during the hottest part of the day to preserve delicate aromatics.

WHY WE LOVE IT

A classic Guji profile with refined fruit character and exceptional clarity. Udesa Fora’s high-altitude terroir shines through in this elegant washed lot—velvety, balanced, and bursting with bright, juicy complexity.

Tasting Notes: Berries, Pluot & Bright

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.