Ethiopia - Hambela Wamena - Special Natural

In Aramaic, "Wamena" refers to a district or small town where coffee is typically collected and sent to a central processing facility. The coffee we offer originates from a collective of farmers in the Wamena area of Hambela, located in the Guji zone of Ethiopia.The Hambela Wamena coffee exemplifies 'garden-style' farming, a method where smallholder farmers grow coffee alongside other subsistence and cash crops. These farmers manage small plots of land, harvesting ripe coffee cherries, which they bring to a local mill for processing. This particular batch hails from a newly developed coffee-growing region in Hambela, Guji, renowned for its vibrant energy and flavor complexity. Unlike older coffee regions where long-established, interwoven varieties can be difficult to trace, the plants in this area are primarily from the 74 series varieties promoted by the Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC). These varieties were developed as part of a research initiative aimed at producing coffee plants resistant to Coffee Berry Disease (CBD), leading to healthier trees and more resilient harvests.Grown at high altitude, this batch showcases the unique terroir of Hambela, Guji — a region that has rapidly gained recognition from specialty coffee enthusiasts. Unlike Yirgacheffe, which rose to prominence much earlier, Guji's development occurred later but with distinct advantages.Because Guji’s coffee cultivation began more recently, the soil remains rich and fertile, akin to a "youthful" stage of land productivity. The coffee trees in this region are younger and entering their peak production phase, offering vigorous yields. Additionally, the region’s large size allows for the development of virgin land for coffee cultivation, unlocking vast potential for growth and expansion.This ongoing development, paired with the availability of fertile land, has drawn interest from both farmers and specialty coffee investors. Modern farming techniques and processing innovations are being introduced, resulting in consistently high-quality coffee that captures the attention of roasters and green coffee buyers worldwide. The flavor of this batch embodies the youthful vitality of Guji's newer coffee plots while harnessing the strength of its more mature trees. The result is a coffee with rich, layered flavors and smooth transitions, crafted by the interplay of altitude, processing techniques, and optimal production conditions. The dynamic tasting experience reveals a sophisticated profile with distinct, expressive flavor shifts — a true showcase of Guji's emerging potential as a world-class coffee-growing region.Harvesting and ProcessingEvery coffee cherry is hand-picked with precision, ensuring only the ripest fruit is selected. After harvesting, the cherries are delivered either to a local collection center or directly to a washing station. Once there, the cherries undergo meticulous sorting to remove underripe, overripe, or damaged fruit. The selected cherries are then spread across raised drying beds under shaded cover, where they dry slowly for 10 to 14 days.During the drying process, the cherries are frequently turned and hand-sorted several times to remove discolored or defective fruit. This labor-intensive and detail-oriented approach results in a coffee cup profile marked by clarity, complexity, and refined flavor precision. Once dried, the coffee is transported to a modern dry mill in Addis Ababa for hulling, final quality checks, and preparation for export.This combination of thoughtful farming, modern processing methods, and Guji’s fertile, youthful soil produces a coffee that is as vibrant and dynamic as the region itself. It is a testament to the potential of Guji's coffee sector and an exceptional experience for coffee enthusiasts seeking something truly distinctive.