Bochessa: sidama, Ethiopia
There’s a reason Ethiopian coffees have such a strong reputation. Between the high elevations, heirloom varietals, and unique growing regions, they tend to have a character all their own. Bochessa is a great example.
This coffee comes from the Sidama region of Ethiopia, specifically the Arbegona district and the small community of Bochessa. Grown high in the mountains and processed naturally, Bochessa brings together a lot of what we love about Ethiopian coffee in one sweet, expressive cup.
From the Mountains of Sidama
Sidama is one of Ethiopia’s most well-known coffee-growing regions, made up of many small communities, each with its own growing conditions and characteristics.
Bochessa is one of those communities. Coffee here is grown on small family farms, often alongside shade trees, with most producers working on just a few hectares—or less. The farms sit throughout the mountains of Arbegona, where elevations reach 2,000–2,100 meters.
For many of the families in the area, coffee is a central part of daily life and an important source of income.
A Community Coffee
Rather than coming from one large estate, Bochessa is made up of coffee from many small producers in the community. Farmers bring their ripe coffee cherries to the local washing station, where the coffee is sorted and processed.
The Bochessa washing station was established in 2022 and now works with more than 800 farmers from the surrounding area. Keeping coffees carefully separated throughout processing helps maintain traceability and preserve the qualities of each lot. Once processed and fully dried, the coffee is prepared for its journey out of Ethiopia and eventually to our roastery.
The Natural Process
Bochessa is naturally processed, meaning the coffee cherries are dried whole, with the fruit still surrounding the seed. Once the cherries have dried, the fruit is removed, and the coffee beans are prepared for export. This process tends to highlight the sweeter, fruitier side of a coffee, making it a particularly fun way to experience the character of Ethiopian coffee.
Why We Like It
There’s a lot to appreciate about Bochessa: high-elevation growing, heirloom Ethiopian varietals, and a community of small-scale producers all coming together through one local washing station.
It’s a coffee that lets the place it comes from do a lot of the talking—and that’s exactly what we want from a great Ethiopian natural.