The Chelbessa washing station buys and processes the coffee cherries of many smallholder farmers around Gotiti kebele, Ethiopia. It sits at the bottom of a large valley and farmers from the mountainsides bring their freshly picked ripe coffee cherries to the mill daily. These are all smallholder farmers; they rely on family labor and grow on average only about 100 coffee trees alongside subsistence crops. Coffee production is the main source of income here and the majority of Ethiopia's foreign income comes from coffee exports.

The Chelbessa washing station is well run by three brothers; Kefyalew, Bekele and Tesfaye Roba. The brothers are diligent in processing and have the modern tools necessary to produce exceptional coffee. Coffee is depulped using an Agard depulper, washed with fresh water from the Banko and Raku rivers and dried on raised beds.

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee and the majority of the genetic material of Arabica coffee is found only here. Unnamed and undiscovered varieties grow wild in the forests here. The plant genetics, environment and hand of the producer come together to produce singular and distinctive coffees. Coffees from Yirgacheffee and the Chelbessa washing station in particular, are known to be citric and floral and this lot is no exception. We find notes of stonefruit, sweet watermelon and white flowers. Please enjoy this bright, juicy and delicious coffee!