This month’s Roaster’s Choice selection brings us back to where coffee began—Ethiopia. Grown high in the lush mountains of Yirgacheffe and cultivated by smallholder farmers whose traditions date back generations, this Fair Trade and Organic Ethiopia Yirgacheffe is a shimmering example of what makes this region one of the most celebrated in the world.
🌿 A Heritage of Craft and Community
This exceptional coffee is grown by families organized around the Hafursa Cooperative, located in the Gedeb district of the Gedeo Zone—one of the most renowned coffee-producing regions on the planet.
Established in 1975, Hafursa brings together nearly 900 smallholder farmers, each tending less than 1.5 hectares of land. Their farms sit between 1900–2300 meters above sea level, where cool mountain air, rich vertisol soil, and dense shade create ideal conditions for slow-ripening coffee cherries.
Most farmers intercrop with banana and nitrogen-fixing plants, sustaining soil health naturally—an approach deeply aligned with the region’s long-standing agricultural traditions.
🤝 Strength Through Cooperative Leadership
In 2002, Hafursa joined the Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (YCFCU), an umbrella organization representing more than 35,000 farmers across 27 cooperatives. YCFCU provides crucial support in areas like sustainable production, quality control, and market access—ensuring that farmers receive fair and stable prices for their harvest.
For these producers, coffee is more than a crop—it’s a legacy. The union’s support helps preserve that legacy by improving livelihoods, investing in the land, and strengthening community development.
“Every step—from handpicking cherries to drying on raised beds—is rooted in intention. It’s a delicate balance of tradition, stewardship, and pride.”
This commitment shines through in every lot that makes its way from Yirgacheffe to roasters around the world.
☕ A Flavor Profile That Honors Its Origin
Our Ethiopia Yirgacheffe is fully washed and dried on raised beds, a meticulous process that preserves clarity and highlights the stunning aromatics this region is famous for. In the cup, expect stone fruit brightness, a ribbon of lemon zest, delicate jasmine florals, and a grounding dark chocolate finish.
It’s a cup that starts bright, blossoms into floral sweetness, and settles into a smooth, lingering finish—a sensory journey through Yirgacheffe’s mountains and traditions.
❤️ More Than a Coffee—A Connection to Its Roots
When you brew this month’s Roaster’s Choice, you’re tasting generations of knowledge held by communities that have lived and farmed in Yirgacheffe for centuries. This coffee represents their care, their craftsmanship, and their commitment to both quality and sustainability.
Each cup of Ethiopia Yirgacheffe is a celebration of origin—where the world’s love for coffee began—and a meaningful way to support the smallholder farmers who continue to nurture that legacy today.