Ethiopia
Ethiopia is widely recognised as the birthplace of Coffea arabica. Every Arabica plant grown worldwide traces its ancestry back to the forests of southern Ethiopia. As a result, Ethiopia holds a unique place in global coffee history.
Today, Ethiopia remains one of the leading coffee‑producing nations. The country contributes around 17% of global coffee exports and supports the livelihoods of roughly 15 million people. In addition, Ethiopia grows more than a thousand Arabica varieties. This genetic diversity gives Ethiopian coffee an unusually wide flavour range. For example, Yirgacheffe coffees often show jasmine‑like aromatics, while Harrar coffees can taste wild and wine‑like.
Coffee also plays a central cultural role. Families and neighbours still gather for the jebena buna ceremony. During this ritual, they roast green beans over an open flame, grind them by hand, and brew them in a clay pot called a Jabena.
Because of this, coffee remains more than an agricultural crop — it is a living tradition that connects communities.
Regions that are trademarked
Three trademarked regions shape Ethiopia’s specialty coffee identity:
- Yirgacheffe in the south
- Sidama to the east
- Harrar in the north‑eastern highlands
Each area produces coffee with its own character. Moreover, within Yirgacheffe, the district of Gedeb has emerged as one of the most exciting terroirs.
Gedeb
Gedeb sits in the south‑eastern corner of the Gedeo Zone, close to the Oromia border. Although it falls within the wider Yirgacheffe area, many growers say Gedeb has its own identity — and the cup profiles often support this belief.
Farms here reach up to 2,100 metres above sea level. Because of the altitude, temperatures stay cool and cherries develop more slowly. As a result, sugars concentrate and flavour complexity increases. The region receives about 1,400 mm of rain each year. Its soils are red, mineral‑rich, and well‑suited to coffee. Furthermore, most farmers grow coffee under indigenous shade trees, which helps regulate temperature and improves biodiversity.
Eva Gotiti
Eva Gotiti is a small two‑hectare washing station established in 2022. Around 900 smallholder farmers deliver their cherries here each season. Together, they produce roughly 500–600 tonnes of fruit.
Processing
Eva Gotiti uses a fully washed process. Here is what happens after cherry arrives at the station:
- Cleaning — Cherry is sorted and cleaned to remove debris and underripe fruit.
- Washing and pulping — The outer skin is removed in the pulper, then the beans receive an initial wash.
- Fermentation — Beans ferment in water for 12–16 hours to break down the remaining mucilage.
- Second wash — A second pass under clean water removes fermentation residue.
- Drying — Beans dry on raised African beds for 10–14 days before packing and storage.
This Yirgacheffe from Eva Gotiti
The coffee we are offering is a Specialty-grade washed Ethiopian coffee from the Eva Gotiti washing station in Gedeb. Notes of Earl Grey, lime, apricot, blueberry and jasmine. SCA cupping score 88.
| Region | Gedeb District, Gedeo Zone, Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia |
| Farmers | Approximately 900 subsistence smallholder farmers delivering cherry to the Eva Gotiti washing station |
| Cultivars | 74110, 74112, 7454 (JARC-released Ethiopian heirloom selections) |
| Altitude | 2,000–2,100 metres above sea level |
| Processing | Washed — pulped, fermented 12–16 hrs, double-washed, dried on raised beds for 10–14 days |
| Packaging | GrainPro |
| Primary tastes | Blueberry, brown sugar and a hint of vanilla |
| Roast used | A gentle decreasing ramp rate, with extension of the development stage to encourage sweetness. |
| Roast degree | Cinnamon (118) – using my-tonino.com |
| Certification | Organically certified up until Falcon, Quaffee holds no organic certification. |
Our brews:
| Brew Method | Ratio | Brew Method | Ratio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 1:2.3 (27 sec) | AeroPress | 18g:200g (finer) | |
| Plunger | 50g:800g | Pour over/filter | 19g:300g (45 sec bloom, 3.5 total brewing time) |
Transparency Information
| Producer / Organisation | Eva Gotiti washing station |
|---|---|
| FOB price | $13.79 |
| Cupping score | 88 (Falcon Specialty) |
| Lot size bought | 1 x 60 kg bag. |
| Relationship | We have been purchasing coffee from Falcon Specialty and And sons for well over a decade. |
Sources
- And Sons Importers — Eva Gotiti Washed Yirgacheffe product listing.
- Wikipedia — Coffee Production in Ethiopia
- Genuine Origin — Ethiopian Coffee: A Complete Guide to the Birthplace of Coffee
- Falcon Coffees — Falcon Ethiopia
- Assistance in editing by Antropic.
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