ETHIOPIA GRADE 1 BELOYA

Origin ­­- Ethiopia, Biloya

Location – Kochere, Gedeo

Grade – I

Processing method – Washed & Natural

Altitude -1,600 to 1,700 meters above sea level

Varietal – Kumie, Diga & Wilsho

Cupping Notes: blueberry pie, pineapple, kiwi, vanilla, watermelon

The Kochere district is one of the woredas (districts) in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Gedeo Zone, Kochere is bordered on the east by Gedeb, on the southwest by the Oromia Region, and on the north by Yirgachefe, all well- known coffee-producing regions. Kochere is a diverse woreda which is made up primarily by three ethnic groups, the Gedeo, the Oromo, and the Amhara, in order of population. The coffees produced in this area are consistently some of the most beautiful coffees grown in the world thanks to the unique combination of the local environment, coffee genetics, and processing methods. Numerous variables come together to develop the unique flavors present in this coffee. First, the coffee is grown at noticeably high altitude, around 1,700 meters above sea level. Temperatures stay cool, with average highs around 70 °F and lows around 60 °F. Additionally, the varieties, Kumie, Diga, and Wilsho make up this coffee, which are all local varieties to this area of Ethiopia. This may account for what makes this coffee stand out, as these are not common to any other areas of the world. Lastly, this coffee is processed carefully using typical dry processing methods. To process this natural coffee, the coffee arrives to the Kocherie Beloya (or Biloya) washing station where is first sorted by hand to select the densest cherries. It is then taken to raised beds where the coffee is dried for up to 21 days. After drying, the coffee is milled and ready to be shipped off. Naturally processed Ethiopian coffees are often the coffees that stand out for the profound sweetness and fruit notes, and this one stands up to that.