Ethiopia Sidamo Bensa Gr. 1 Fully Washed

Lemon, apricot, marzipan, caramel
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Bag Weight 60 KG BAG
Harvest Season 2023/24
Status Spot
Lot Number P8002437-4
  • 2 Bag(s)
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About This Coffee

This grade 1 fully  washed microlot is from Sidamo Bensa washing station in Bensa district. This lot is sourced from smallholder farmers cultivating a regional landrace variety with the local name "Zipa" at altitudes up to and exceeding 2,200masl. 

This coffee utilises a traditional fully washed process, whereby ripe cherries are carefully selected via handpicking and floatation, de-pulped on the day of harvest, fermented for around 36 hours and then thoroughly washed to remove any remaining mucilage. The coffee, still in its husk (parchment) is then dried in the sun on raised African beds for 12-15 days depending on ambient conditions. 

Origin Ethiopia
Subregion Bensa, Sidama
Harvest Season 2023/24
Producer Type Washing Station
Wet Mill Sidamo Bensa
Processing Washed
Growing Altitude 1900m - 2250m
Plant Species Arabica
Variety Ethiopia Heirloom
Coffee Grade ETH CA WA SID G1
Screen Size 14 Up
Bag Weight 60 KG BAG
Bag Types Grain Pro / Ecotact

The Region

Over a number of years this region has developed a distinguished reputation for fine coffees, producing some of the most sought-after microlots in world. The combination of high altitude (up to 2,200m in some areas), fertile soil, consistent and plentiful rains, and an abundance of local knowledge are all contributing factors to the high status of these coffees. The indigenous ‘heirloom’ varietals - which grow wild in Ethiopia - are responsible for the unique flavour notes which make for an unusual but refined cup characterised by strong citric acidity, stone fruits, sweet chocolate and floral/herbal notes of lavender, jasmine, bergamot and hops.

The Process

This coffee utilises a traditional fully washed process, whereby ripe cherries are carefully selected via handpicking and floatation, de-pulped on the day of harvest, fermented for 36-48 hours and then thoroughly washed in clean water grading channels to remove any remaining mucilage.

The coffee, still in its husk (parchment) is then dried in the sun on raised African beds for 12-15 days depending on ambient conditions. In the daytime the parchment needs to be raked and turned periodically to ensure a consistent drying process. The coffee is also covered between 12pm and 3pm to protect it from the hot sun, and at night time to protect it from rainfall and moisture. Once the coffee has dried to the right level it is transported to Addis Ababa for dry-milling, grading, intensive sorting and handpicking, before being bagged in GrainPro for export. 

  • Subregion Bensa, Sidama
  • Producer Type Washing Station
  • Wet Mill Sidamo Bensa
  • Processing Washed
  • Bag Types Grain Pro / Ecotact
  • Plant Species Arabica
  • Variety Ethiopia Heirloom
  • Min Growing Altitude 1900m
  • Max Growing Altitude 2250m
  • Screen Size 14 Up
  • On Sale No
  • Top Lot No
  • Price Per Kg €13.00
  • Status Spot
  • Coffee Grade ETH CA WA SID G1
  • CTRM Contract Number P8002437-4
  • Origin Ethiopia
  • Warehouse Vollers Hamburg