Ethiopia Bookkisa Nº 252

This coffee is processed by Sookoo Coffee, owned by Ture Waji, but is grown by 100 smallholders on family farms in the sub-kebele of Bookkisa. A kebele is the smallest administrative area in Ethiopia, similar to a village or small town.

The smallholders deliver their coffee cherry to the Dambi Uddo washing station high up in the Shakiso hills. The coffee trees grown in amongst native forest, which creates a natural shade covering, promoting good soil health and slow maturation of the coffee cherries. The farming practices are organic by tradition - although official certification has not been possible in this case.

The varieties of Arabica are Gibirinna 74110 and Serto 74112 and were propagated by JARC (Jimma Agricultural Research Center) from the Metu Bishari forest. They are resistant to Coffee Berry Disease which helps producers maximize their yields. The cherries are dried on raised beds at an elevation of 2,173m for around 15-20 days. They are moved and rotated frequently to ensure even and precise drying. This results in some of the most vibrant and clean coffees. Unlike many naturals, they have great florals and acidity. They are often described as "Ethiopia first, natural processing second."