Lalesa Gedeb

Nestled in the highlands of Gedeb, Ethiopia, the Lalesa washing station produces naturally processed coffees shaped by Ethiopia’s distinct seasonal climate. After the heavy Krempt rains end in September, coffee cherries ripen under the shade of Ensete trees (false banana), leading into the main harvest season from late November through January. Operated by Ephtah Specialty Coffee, Lalesa is the largest drying and washing site in the region, working with hundreds of local farmers and employing around 250 seasonal workers during harvest. The station focuses on building sustainable supply chains that support both quality and community development, with a strong emphasis on empowering women, who play a central role throughout the coffee process. Only the ripest cherries are selected from nearby farms. After harvest, cherries are floated to remove defects before being carefully dried on raised beds for 12–15 days. Once dried, the green coffee is hand-sorted by local women to ensure consistency and quality. The coffee is then stored in Addis Ababa before continuing by rail to Djibouti for export. Beyond coffee production, Ephtah invests directly in local communities through farmer premiums, school fee support, and future infrastructure projects such as expanded drying beds, improved water systems, and diversified agriculture to strengthen the local economy.