Ethiopia remains the darling among specialty coffee origins. The East African nation's history as the birthplace of Arabica fostered a long and storied relationship between its people and the coffee plant. This deep cultural appreciation for cultivation, combined with favourable local microclimates, nurtured the vast genetic diversity among the country's heirloom varieties. Today, traditional farming methods persist, with smallholder farmers integrating the ensete, or "false banana" tree, as an umbrella canopy to provide shade for coffee crops. This approach to agroforestry sustains a mutually beneficial ecosystem where coffee serves as a primary cash crop, while the false banana ensures food security for local communities.

The Lalesa Washing Station where this coffee was naturally processed after harvest is located at the southern edge of Yirgacheffe. There, the Gedeo people have been the stewards of the shaded farming method for generations. Originally established by Alemayehu Tilahun, a Gedeo local with decades of experience in specialty coffee, the washing station was acquired by community-focused exporter Ephtah Specialty Coffee in 2023. It has since become the largest drying hub in Gedeb. This is Origin's second release from Lalesa, serving as an exciting opportunity to revisit what this terroir has to offer.

Origin's notes

"Lalesa Yirgacheffe is a specialty Arabica coffee produced in the renowned Yirgacheffe district of Ethiopia's Gedeo Zone. Grown at elevations between approximately 1,700 and 2,200 meters above sea level, coffees from this area are celebrated for their elegant floral aromas, bright citrus acidity, and tea-like body."

• Flavours: Peach, stone fruit, milk chocolate, lemon curd, black tea
• Body: Medium, round
• Acidity: Citrus, lively
• Roast: Medium
• Brewing: AeroPress, Chemex, V60, siphon and espresso

Coffee details from Origin

"Depending on the lot and processing method, cups often display notes of jasmine, bergamot, lemon zest, and stone fruit, creating the clean and vibrant profile that has made Yirgacheffe one of the world's most sought-after coffee origins."

• Country: Ethiopia
• Region: Gedeb district, Gedeo zone
• Altitude: 1,700 - 2,200m ASL
• Varieties: Heirloom
• Processing: Natural
• Producer: 900 smallholder farmers
• Owner: Ephtah Specialty Coffee
• Washing station: Lalesa