Hambela: Guji, Ethiopia

From the Importer

Ambela Washing Station serves about 680 smallholder producers in the area around Dintu, in the Ambela district of Guji. Most of the producers own about 1.5 hectares of land, on which they grow not only coffee but also other crops. The coffee is delivered to the washing station in cherry form and depulped the same day, then fermented underwater for 48–72 hours before being washed. Then it's soaked for 8–16 additional hours and washed again. The coffee is then spread on raised beds and dried for about 9–12 days.

According to the exporter, most of the coffee delivered to the factory is Bourbon, and some is Typica: While these are two varieties better-known in Central and South America, the same terms are used colloquially in Ethiopia to describe certain coffee-berry-disease-resistant cultivars. The Ethiopian "Bourbon" and "Typica" varieties are typically genetically removed from the ones found elsewhere around the world.

From the Roaster

This coffee from Hambela highlights all the unique complexity of flavor that we love about washed Guji coffees. This one is full of exciting, fresh fruit and floral tones like melon, tangerine, lemon, honeysuckle, and chamomile that truly sparkle in the cup. Some weird and interesting times are upon us, but brew up a cup of this fun coffee because its sure to lighten the mood and put a smile on your face. 

How we’re brewing it

Here’s how we’re brewing this coffee in our cafe. We use the Barazta Vario grinder and a Kalita dripper in this recipe.

Grind size: H5(Medium)

Coffee dose: 25

Water dose: 400g

Brew time: 3:30

Water temp: 208F

Yield: 12oz