Ethiopian coffees are often celebrated for their bright fruit character, florals, and complexity. This month’s Specialty Estate, Ethiopia, Yaye takes that reputation one step further with a carefully selected, single-variety lot from the Sidama region.
This coffee comes from the Yaye Washing Station, built in 2021 with a focus on quality, experimentation, and precise processing. The lot is part of the Odakko Project, a collaboration between Testi Coffees and Cafe Imports designed to create a traceable, single-variety coffee using cherries selected at peak harvest. This particular lot was produced by 50 smallholder farmers from the neighbouring villages of Yaye and Chericho.
Natural Special Prep
This coffee is processed using the Natural Special Prep method, where cherries are selected from a limited group of producers and kept separate from other lots. For this project, cherries were collected over four days from farms within a 10-kilometre radius of the Yaye Washing Station, all identified as growing Variety 74158.
After sorting and floating, the cherries were dried slowly on raised beds under shade nets for 28 days. This slower drying process helps preserve sweetness and complexity while maintaining a cleaner, more controlled natural profile.
What to Expect in the Cup
In the cup, this coffee brings together notes of cooked berry and mild caramel, supported by winey acidity and fruit-like sweetness. It’s rich and layered, but still clean and balanced, making it a beautiful example of how thoughtful natural processing can create depth without becoming heavy.
A Project with Purpose
Beyond flavour, the Odakko Project also supports Testi Coffee’s community programs. Project premiums contribute to education initiatives, including school building and the supply of learning materials for young people in coffee-growing communities.
The result is a Specialty Estate that feels considered from start to finish — traceable, carefully processed, and full of character. It’s a coffee that captures the fruit-driven elegance of Sidama while highlighting the impact of precision and planning at every stage.