Tasting Notes: Lychee, Lemon, Lavender

Process: Washed

Elevation: 1765m

Variety: Heirloom

Producer: Biru Bekele Washing Station

This spectacular grade 1 washed coffee comes from the same producer as the beloved Ardi Natural! It was only five years ago that Biru Bekele founded the washing station, which has become very prominent in the specialty coffee community. Rich soil and pioneering some of the best practices for coffee production in Ethiopia have contributed to the fruit bomby, complex flavors in the cup. While washed coffees are usually much cleaner, they can sacrifice bright and fruity flavors and instead have subtle complexity; Biru and his workers have managed to produce an exceptional washed coffee that retains the complexity, but still shines with notes of fresh lychee, lemon, and lavender as the coffee begins to cool. 

Before starting this new washing station, Biru worked in coffee production and exporting for over 20 years before finding that the Oromia region of Ethiopia could produce unique and highly aromatic coffees. This was due to the region's specific heirloom varieties as well as its rich soil. He saw an opportunity to increase quality while providing a consistent buyer for the farmers. Biru pays for coffee cherry grown by smallholder farmers around the area and works hard to develop rigorous processing standards at the wet mill, creating consistent results time and time again. Though he specializes in naturals, he’s begun experimenting with yeast processes and utilizes his washing station for beautiful washed coffees such as this one.