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Country: Ethiopia

Region: Gedeo, Yirgacheffe

Farm: Mr. Mengeche Derso

Variety: Yirgacheffe

Altitude: 2200-2300 masl

Method: Natural

Tastes Like: White Peach, Pear Honey, Creme Brûlée, Flan, Blueberry Sauce

Goes Best With: Sade, Amtrak Journeys, Worldbuilding, Sunset Picnics

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From Cafe Imports:

Mr. Mengesha Derso owns and operates 15 hectares of land in the highlands of Gedeo Zone, located in the Southern Region of Ethiopia. This region, and Gedeo Zone in particular, is renowned for its production of high-quality Yirgachefe coffee. At 62 years old, Mr. Mengesha brings 62 years of farming experience to the area. His dedication to producing top-quality coffee has earned him recognition from government organizations.

Mr. Mengesha has 12 children. Along with four of his children, he actively works on the coffee farm. They use natural fertilizers such as animal manure and plant remnants to enrich the soil. His farm, situated at 2300 MASL, is one of the many in the area known for producing premium coffee.

The Small Farmer Project is the result of an effort to support Ethiopian producers with a marketplace for farm-traceable coffees. In 2020, we purchased our first coffees from a handful of these producers located in Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, and Guji. This project is made possible in conjunction with Lulo Coffees, an Ethiopian export and coffee development company dedicated to connecting small producers with buyers. Samples are sent out to potential buyers, price is negotiated on the farmers' behalf, and contracts are only accepted when the producer agrees on a sales price and their name is on the contract for each coffee they sell. 

“Our goals with this project would be to help garner and develop long-term relationships between the producers we are already working with and coffee roasting companies that share in the values of transparency, traceability, and relationship that this program represents," says Claudia, green-coffee buyer for Cafe Imports.

For more information check out Café Imports Ethiopia page.