We receive fresh deliveries of these coffee beans twice per week. Please allow up to 3-4 working days after you order for dispatch in case we need to wait for the next delivery.
In the early days of Cape Coffee Beans, much of the best Ethiopian specialty coffee that we drank in South Africa was from the celebrated Yirgacheffe region, easily likened to the Champagne of coffee. After all, only coffees grown in the Yirgacheffe region bear the appellation, and it is recognised by coffee drinkers everywhere as producing some of the best lots in the world. Our friends at Rosetta Roastery have always had a talent for finding the best of the best from Yirgacheffe. That is as true today, as it was years ago when we started working with them.
Nevertheless, things have changed a little in the last few years. One of these changes is that we get to enjoy specialty coffees from other regions of Ethiopia much more often. The Guji Zone, where this coffee was grown, is one of those regions that has started to gain recognition as another important origin of extremely high-quality Ethiopian coffees, with similar but also different characteristics from the coffees from Yirgacheffe.
The other thing that has changed has to do with processing. It used to be that we only really got to enjoy washed coffees from Ethiopia, but now we have more opportunities to try coffees processed using different methods. This one is actually a natural, which may be the more traditional way of processing coffee, but is still a relative rarity in the specialty lots that Ethiopia exports.
Where this coffee is more quintessentially Ethiopian is in the fact that it was grown by a collection of smallholder farmers. Most Ethiopian coffee is grow on this kind of small scale, and many of the best lots are the combination of the work of many farmers.
Rosetta shared a lot from this very same washing station with us last year. If you remember Galano Natural, you're sure to enjoy this new crop from the same area and washing station.
Phaedon's tasting notes
While this delicious new Ethiopian release reminds me of its predecessor, Galano Natural, to some extent, it's also a little different. Like that coffee, this one had me tasting stone fruit and berries in most of my cups, and proved itself to be pretty versatile, yielding tasty brews in my moka pot, V60, AeroPress and French press. Where Galano was perhaps a little more delicate, and a little more reminiscent of the Ethiopian coffee flavour archetype, this lot is more fruit-forward and full-bodied. In unfiltered methods like a French press, I'd go so far as to say that it's deliciously funky.
Not knowing exactly what the differences in processing were - Galano, too, was a natural lot - I would venture to say that with this new Goro Bedessa, the processing-driven characteristics are more dominant, whereas with Galano, there was perhaps more of a balance between terroir, variety and process. Nevertheless, for those who like a full-bodied, fruity & sweet coffee, this new lot is bound to please.
Rosetta's notes
Style: Progressive
Flavour: Silky & floral, ripe tropical fruit, apricot
"Naturals require careful attention throughout the roast to highlight their bright, fruit-forward profile. Starting with a high charge temperature ensures even heat uptake for these small, high-density beans, bringing out the coffee’s inherent sweetness. Consistent airflow preserves clarity in the cup, and as we reach first crack, we reduce the gas to let residual heat guide the roast. A short development time amplifies the beautifully layered, rich fruit character."
Coffee details from Rosetta
"Complex and expressive, this natural from Goro Bedessa showcases the distinct character of West Guji. Grown at 2370m ASL, handpicked cherries from 149 smallholder farmers—each cultivating 2–3 hectares—are processed at the Goro Bedessa Washing Station, owned by Wete Ambela Coffee Export PLC. A meticulous 21-day drying process on raised beds reveals jammy peach, citrus, and a long, creamy tropical fruit finish."
- Producers: Smallholder farmers of the Goro Bedessa Washing Station
- Region: Goro Bedessa, Hambela Wamena, Guji
- Country: Ethiopia
- Altitude: 2,370 masl
- Processing: Natural
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Variety: Heirloom varieties
- Harvest: 2024