| Location: |
Chelechele, Gedeb
|
| Producer |
Ephtah
|
| Varietal: | Heirloom |
| Process: | Natural |
| Altitude: |
2150-2200
|
| Production/Harvest Date: | 2025 |
| Cup Score: | 85 |
|
Cup profile: |
Black tea, plum, red berries, nougat, blackberry jam, chocolate mousse. *some paperiness to the finish [past crop option]. |
***Past Crop option, this coffee is showing some age but represents fantastic value from a supply chain close to our hearts. Less vibrant than the coffee we cupped this time last year, but would make a lovely single-origin espresso or blend component with a more developed roast.
Origin and Harvest
Ethiopian coffee production is profoundly influenced by the country's three main seasons. The Bega season (October-January) is the long dry period, crucial for coffee harvesting and processing. The Belg season (February-May) brings the first rains, essential for coffee flowering and early fruit development. The Krempt season (June-September) sees heavy rainstorms from the east, crucial for the later stages of coffee fruit development and ripening. By the end of September, the rains cease abruptly, allowing the coffee fruits to ripen, leading to a bustling harvest period by November.
About Ephtah Specialty Coffee
Ephtah Specialty Coffee is dedicated to building sustainable and collaborative supply chains that benefit customers, farmers, and their communities. The company emphasizes promoting the role of women in the coffee industry, recognizing their pivotal role in driving social and economic change in Ethiopia. Ephtah ensures quality at every stage of the shipment process, focusing on providing the highest quality green coffee beans and maintaining satisfaction among all stakeholders in the supply chain.
Ephtah has vertical suppliers where they pre-finance upto 85% of the harvest to allow them to work securely and only focus on the quality of the coffee. The Chelichele site is owned by Tamiru Amare (Tamiru translated to "Miracle" in English). The site is 2.ha and has 200 beds - coffee is sourced from the Chelichele area (average farm size is around 0.5 hectares.) The site has 6 permanent employers and then 110 in the harvest.
Lot Information
The coffee is initially floated to remove quakers, then placed on drying beds for 12-15 days. Green beans are handpicked by local women. The processing methods are chosen to maximize quality. Once dried and stored, the coffee is transported to Moplaco in Gerji, Addis Ababa, and then moved to Djibouti via train for export.
Economic, Social, Governance
Ephtah has undertaken several social and environmental projects associated with this coffee lot. A daycare center for farmers' children is set to open in Gedeb, and some of the women farmers in the area are part of the Ama Commitment scheme. Payments to farmers are structured with an initial payment made as soon as the coffee is received at the site, ensuring timely compensation for the coffee produced.
General
The main challenge faced during this crop cycle has been financial constraints due to the National Bank of Ethiopia's policy to control inflation. Despite these challenges, the site remains committed to producing high-quality coffee and contributing to the local economy. Future plans include expanding the Ama Commitment scheme, building a water tank for flotation to remove quakers, and increasing the number of drying beds. Additionally, Ephtah plans to grow other crops on their land, allowing local people to cultivate and sell these crops in the local market. In addition to coffee, the farmers also produce Ensete and false banana, which are used to make a local food called Kocho. The Ephtah site in Lalesa is the largest drying site in Gedeb, further underscoring the company's commitment to quality and capacity in coffee production.
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