Story

This delightful natural coffee begins with a symphony of aromas: mixed berry jam, milk chocolate, and marzipan. As you sip, these aromas transform into notes of blackcurrant, semi-sweet chocolate, black tea, and an enduring marzipan flavor. The fruity notes present a touch of dried blueberry acidity, while the chocolate note adds a sweet touch. The uplifting finish features notes of plum, fresh ginger, and spicy nutmeg.

Imported by our friends at Crop to Cup.

Basha’s father, a former manager for a co-op in Bombe that supplied coffee to the Sidama Union, played a significant role in the coffee industry. Before the government introduced export licenses for smallholders, both he and his father sold their cherries to the cooperative. Now, Basha has his own export license and cultivates coffee (primarily 74158, locally known as ‘Walega’) on 12 hectares of semi-forested plots. He also operates collection sites in Bombe, Shantawane, and Kokose, where he collects cherries from producers growing coffee as high as 2,350 masl.

Despite the high cherry prices this year, Basha maintained a unique practice that not many smallholders follow: delivering a second payment to the 126 producers he purchased cherries from once the coffee was sold. Like most smallholders in the Bensa region, Basha exclusively produces dry processes, including experiments with anaerobic fermentation styles. Before drying his coffee slowly on raised beds, he floats cherries to remove any defects.