Apricot & Butterscotch
Harvest: Decemeber 2022

Country: Ethiopia
Producer: Aricha Washing Station
Region: Gedeo, Yirgacheffe
Process: Washed
Variety: Wolisho & Dega
Altitude: 1,900 – 2,100 masl

Ethiopia is universally referred to as the birthplace of coffee, and it's one of the few places where Arabica is grown and cultivated in the wild. The flavours here are notably diverse, from citrus to florals, through to candied and even tropical fruit. Depending on the region, harvesting occurs between October and January, and this year we have five lots to share with you from Yirgacheffe, Guji and West Arsi. It's going to be a very tasty six months!

The Aricha washing station is situated at 1,900 masl, not far from Yirgacheffe town. The temperatures here are cool, allowing the coffee in the area to mature slowly and develop complex sugars. The same conditions also provide ideal drying conditions for the beans after processing. Approximately 750 farmers deliver their cherries to Aricha. The farms are on average two hectares in size, and sit between 1,900 and 2,100 masl. Once the cherries are delivered, the coffee is depulped and fermented for 36-48 hours. The beans are then washed and graded in channels and dried on raised beds for 12-15 days.

This is the second time we have bought coffee from this washing station. We love the juicy fruit, sugary sweetness and creamy texture found in the coffees here, and this year is no exception!

Price we paid: €11.93/kg

FOB: €8.59/kg

Weight Purchased: 300 kgs

Relationship: 2 years

Importer: Nordic Approach

Approximately 750 farmers deliver their cherries to Aricha washing station for processing. The dried parchment must then be approved by the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) checkpoint where its contents are graded and registered as exportable product before it is warehoused in Addis Ababa. The exporter, Testi Coffee PLC then mills the coffee, prepares the export documentation and transports the coffee to the port in Djibouti. Our importer, Nordic Approach, ships the coffee to their warehouse in Belgium and arranges the onward transport to our roastery.