Ethiopia Gedeb
A stunning coffee from Gedeb in the famous growing region of Yirgacheffe. Fruity and complex with subtle floral notes, this slow dry natural process is a delight.
Farm
Gedeb Slow Dry
Preparation
Slow Dry Natural
Variety
Heirloom
Harvest
Late November - January
Country
Ethiopia
Tasting notes
Caramel, peach tea, blueberry muffin and parma violets with a bright lemon acidity.
Origin and Harvest
Ethiopian coffee production is profoundly influenced by the country's three main seasons. The Bega season (October-January) is the long dry period, crucial for coffee harvesting and processing. The Belg season (February-May) brings the first rains, essential for coffee flowering and early fruit development. The Krempt season (June-September) sees heavy rainstorms from the east, crucial for the later stages of coffee fruit development and ripening. By the end of September, the rains cease abruptly, allowing the coffee fruits to ripen, leading to a bustling harvest period by November.
About Ephtah Specialty Coffee
Ephtah Specialty Coffee is dedicated to building sustainable and collaborative supply chains that benefit customers, farmers, and their communities. The company emphasizes promoting the role of women in the coffee industry, recognizing their pivotal role in driving social and economic change in Ethiopia. Ephtah ensures quality at every stage of the shipment process, focusing on providing the highest quality green coffee beans and maintaining satisfaction among all stakeholders in the supply chain.
Lalesa Washing Station
The Lalesa washing station is located in Gedeb, a region with a population of over 300,000 people. The area is predominantly Christian Protestant, with some Orthodox Christians, and the primary language spoken is Gedeoiniya. The community celebrates its main annual New Year festival on January 18th, and Enset (false banana) is the staple food. The Siqe river delineates the border between Gedeo, Guji, and the Southern regional state from Oromia.
Coffee Processing
The best cherries are bought from nearby farmers. Coffee is initially floated to remove quakers, then placed on drying beds for 20-25 days, under a special greenhouse roof. Green beans are handpicked by local women removing defects.
Journey to Export
Once processed and dried, the coffee is stored at Moplaco in Gerji, Addis Ababa. From there, it is transported to Djibouti via train for export.
Social and Environmental Impact
Ephtah Specialty Coffee is dedicated to social and environmental projects. The company provides initial payments to farmers upon receipt of their coffee and supports them with quality premiums, second payments, and assistance with school fees. Future investment plans include expanding the Ama Commitment scheme, building a water tank for flotation, increasing the number of drying beds, and cultivating additional crops on the land to support local markets.
Challenges and Future Plans
This year, financial constraints have been a significant challenge due to the National Bank of Ethiopia's policy to control inflation. However, Ephtah is committed to ongoing investment and development, including expanding drying facilities and supporting local farmers.
Additional Information
The Ephtah site in Gedeb is the largest drying and washing site in the region, further underscoring the company's commitment to quality and capacity in coffee production.
- Permanent Employees: 20
- Seasonal Employees (during harvest): 250
- Drying Beds: 350
- Harvest Months: Late November - January
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