Chelbesa Ethiopia - Washed Heirloom

Flavor: black tea, tangerine, peach, honey Cupping score: 87.75 Origin: Ethiopia Region: gedeb Producer: SNAP Varietal: Heirloom Process: Washed Altitude: 1950-2200 MASL Roasted for: Filter-Light roast, Espresso-Medium/Light CHELBESA Nestled in the Danche area of Chelbesa village, within the renowned Yirgacheffe appellation of Ethiopia's Gedeo Zone, the Chelbesa washing station sits at over 2,000 meters above sea level. Operated by SNAP, the station works with hundreds of smallholder farmers who cultivate coffee on nearby plots using traditional methods passed down through generations. Coffee is grown in a rich semi-forest environment beneath native shade trees and alongside food crops such as bananas. This natural biodiversity, combined with the region's high elevation and fertile soils, creates ideal conditions for producing the vibrant, complex coffees for which Yirgacheffe is celebrated. Only carefully selected ripe cherries are delivered to the washing station. After harvest, they undergo a slow shaded fermentation for 45–60 hours before being fully washed to remove the mucilage. The coffee is then dried on raised African beds in thin layers for 7–10 days, with the drying carefully managed throughout the day to ensure even moisture loss and exceptional cup quality. The result is a beautifully refined washed Yirgacheffe coffee, showcasing the floral elegance, lively citrus acidity, and remarkable clarity that have made this origin one of Ethiopia's most iconic.