Habtamu Fikadu Aga, Chelbesa - Washed | Ethiopia

Details:

• Origin: Ethiopia

• Region: Gedeb, Yirgacheffe

• Producer: Habtamu Fikadu Aga

• Collective: Chelbesa Growers

• Varietals: Kurume & Dega

• Process: Washed

• Roast: Filter

• Bag Size: 250g

• Tasting Notes: Apricot 🍑 • Limeade 🍋 • Watermelon 🍉

Intro:

Ilse is proud to share this exceptional Ethiopian coffee from Habtamu Fikadu Aga, produced in collaboration with the Chelbesa Growers in Gedeb, Yirgacheffe. This washed lot captures the best of the region’s high-elevation terroir and heirloom varieties — resulting in a cup that’s clean, juicy, and full of citrus-laced vibrancy. It's a showcase of clarity, refreshment, and expressive fruit character — all hallmarks of the finest Ethiopian coffees.

The Producer:

Habtamu Fikadu Aga works with the Chelbesa Growers, a well-respected collective in the Gedeb district known for producing some of Yirgacheffe’s most aromatic and elegant coffees. The region’s elevation, cool climate, and mineral-rich soils provide ideal growing conditions for Ethiopia’s native varietals like Kurume and Dega, and this collaboration reflects a commitment to both quality and traceability. Smallholder farmers hand-pick and deliver their cherries to local washing stations, where careful fermentation and washing practices help preserve each lot’s brightness and clarity.

The Process:

This lot is processed using the washed method, where freshly harvested cherries are depulped and fermented under water to break down mucilage. After washing, the beans are dried on raised beds, often under shade to slow the drying process and protect flavour complexity. The washed process in Gedeb tends to heighten citrus and stone fruit notes, and this coffee is no exception — delivering a crisp, clean expression that reflects its high-altitude origin and careful post-harvest handling.

The Cup:

In the cup, this coffee is vibrant, refreshing, and fruit-forward. Expect apricot 🍑 sweetness and texture leading the way, followed by a zesty limeade 🍋 acidity that lifts and brightens the profile. A clean, cooling watermelon 🍉 note rounds things out, giving the cup a refreshing, summery quality. The structure is light and juicy, with sparkling clarity — perfect for those who love a lively filter brew that dances on the palate.

Overall:

Ilse’s Habtamu Fikadu Aga – Chelbesa Growers is a bright and expressive washed Ethiopian filter roast that captures the floral elegance, citrus zing, and stone fruit charm that make Yirgacheffe world-renowned. This is a coffee that rewards slow sipping.

What is the roast recency?

Ilse doesn't advertise a roast preference to Filter or Espresso, instead they are roasted for the best amongst both - often called Omniroast. That being said, Ilse typically roast light.

We recommend brewing with beans that are at least two weeks off roast. All beans are roasted to peak flavour at around 8-12 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). 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.