Canned peaches, honeysuckle, sun tea
Limited Time Offering Floral aromas, citrus flavors, and a delicate, tea-like texture are the hallmarks of high-quality Yirgacheffe coffees, and Reko is no exception! The region is home to hundreds of experienced smallholder farmers who grow landrace varieties at high elevation, which slows the rate of cherry maturation and results in an incredibly flavorful and complex cup. Summery notes of canned peaches, honeysuckle, and sun tea are best enjoyed as a pour over or lungo espresso.
Details
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Producer Faysel Abdosh, Testi Coffee
Region Kochere, Yirgacheffe
Process Washed
Elevation 1900-2150 masl
Variety Kurume, Wolisho
Source
After being abandoned for years, the Aricha washing station was revived and renovated in 2018 by Faysel Abdosh and Testi Coffee. Faysel, a veteran coffee producer, recognized the potential in the centrally-located facility. He invested a lot of time and money into Aricha, and today hundreds of farmers bring ripe cherries to be processed there. In 2019, just one year after reviving the station, four Aricha coffees made the final selection of The Ethiopian Cup.
“We have a good relationship with our farmers,” says Faysel, as he explains how he wants the farmers to see the washing station as their own. Testi pays a premium to farmers who bring their cherries exclusively to the Aricha washing station. They work alongside the local government to improve the quality of life for farmers, from building a school to installing electricity lines.
Reko comes from farmers in the Reko mountain area of Kochere, Yirgacheffe. The high elevation, diverse microclimate, and soil here yield a complex range of flavor profiles. Coffee is a mixture of Kurume, other regional landraces, and disease-resistant JARC varieties. It is depulped, fully washed, and dried in parchment for 12-14 days before being sent to Addis Ababa for milling.
