This lot was produced in the Sidamo region, on the lush fertile borders of the Harenna forest, where coffee still grows wild under natural forest cover. It was through their work in the local area, especially at their nearby Bensa Logita station, that our partners at Moplaco were able to start supporting the production of coffees from neighbouring stations. Producing coffee in rural Ethiopia requires a great deal of financing, which is difficult to find in these areas. Larger companies based in Addis Ababa are able to support rural processing stations financially, allowing them to start buying cherry early in the harvest season, and guarantee to buy their lots once harvest ends. This process is known as vertical integration, and also requires a great deal of technical and agronomic support, in order to assure the quality of the finished lots.
Here on the edge of the Harenna forest we find very high altitude, with coffee able to grow at up to 2300 masl due to the protection the forest provides. This leads to conditions that are perfect for growing high quality Arabica coffees, with cool temperatures and especially cool nights leading to slow cherry maturation and very dense seeds.
Both of this month’s lots showcase the incredible sugar development within these slowly matured cherries, leading to the heavier character we find in Sidamo, more reminiscent of ripe stone fruit than the bright citrus than we find further west in Yirgacheffe.
Close to Nansebo town lies the Bensa Chire station, mainly collecting cherry in the village of Kubulta. This lot was processed as a natural, enabled by the stable, dry and sunny conditions during harvest. This leads to a deep and sweet character reminiscent of candied fruits and milk chocolate, punctuated by a fresh acidity and soft violet florals.
