Ethiopia — Muntasha Family Muntasha JARC 74158 (Washed)

Tastes Like — 🍋 Citrus • 🍑 Nectarine • 🌿 Earl Grey • 🌸 White Floral

DETAILS

• Producer: Muntasha Family (Mullugeta & Dege)
• Farm: Muntasha
• Region: Arbegona, Sidama, Ethiopia
• Varietal: JARC 74158
• Process: Washed
• Altitude: 2150–2400 MASL
• Size: 200g

INTRO

This washed lot comes from the Muntasha family — Mullugeta and his son Dege — rising stars in Arbegona, Sidama, who began their coffee journey in 2021 after Mullugeta left his job as a truck driver. Originally from Bursa Village in the Arsi region, he returned home with a single clear goal: to produce outstanding coffee. In just a few years, he has already made a name for himself, placing multiple times in the Cup of Excellence.

For this lot, Mullugeta worked with 600 smallholder farmers across elevations of 2150–2400 metres. Ripe cherries were collected, depulped, and fermented underwater for 48–60 hours, then dried on raised beds for 7–8 days. The result is a clean, vibrant cup bursting with notes of ripe nectarine, lemon tea, and white flowers.

THE PRODUCER

Mullugeta Muntasha’s story is one of determined reinvention. After years working as a truck driver, he returned to his roots in Arbegona, Sidama, and began building a coffee operation from the ground up. Working with 600 smallholder farmers across plots ranging from 2150 to 2400 metres above sea level, he has developed a reputation for meticulous sourcing and careful processing.

His dedication has already translated into real recognition: multiple Cup of Excellence placements in a short period speak to the quality and consistency that Mullugeta and his son Dege are achieving. Mazelab are proud to support them at an early and formative stage of what looks set to be a remarkable career in specialty coffee.

THE PROCESS

The Washed process for this lot involves:

• 🍒 Selective Harvesting — Ripe cherries hand-picked from smallholder farms across 2150–2400m elevations in Arbegona.
• 🔧 Depulping — Cherries are depulped to remove the outer fruit skin.
• 💧 Underwater Fermentation — Beans fermented submerged in water for 48–60 hours, developing clarity and brightness.
• ☀️ Raised Bed Drying — Dried on raised African beds for 7–8 days under controlled conditions.
• ✅ Sorting & Grading — Careful quality control throughout milling and export preparation.

The extended underwater fermentation and careful drying deliver the clean, bright acidity and floral complexity that defines this lot.

THE CUP

Clean and luminous, with ripe nectarine and bright citrus at the fore, giving way to a refined Earl Grey tea quality and a finish of white flowers. The acidity is vibrant but structured, and the overall feel is one of precision and elegance.

Flavour Notes

• 🍋 Citrus
• 🍑 Nectarine
• 🌿 Earl Grey
• 🌸 White Floral