Ethiopia Sidamo Natural - Hache Cooperative

Coffee Details

• REGION: Ethiopia
• LOCATION: Sidama
• COOPERATIVE: Hache
• ELEVATION: 5700 feet
• VARIETY: Heirloom Ethiopia Cultivar
• PROCESSING METHOD: Natural
• GRADE: 3
• HARVEST: September-February
• CERTIFICATIONS: Fair Trade, Organic
• ROAST LEVEL: Light
• CHARACTERISTICS: Distinct blueberry aroma, jam-like sweetness, marionberry, hint of tangerine citrus, syrupy body.
• WEIGHT: 12 oz

Cooperative Information

Located in the Bensa region of southern Ethiopia, the Hache cooperative consists of about 2000 farmers, which is considered small in comparison with other cooperative members of the Sidama Farmers Cooperative Union. Coffee is grown at very high elevations in this region which consequently creates a slow maturation process for the coffee berry on the shrub. The result is typically a more complex, fruity cup - and this Sidamo is just that. The shade grown Hache coffee is grown on farms surrounded by mango, plantain, and acacia trees - again contributing to a slower ripening process.

Amidst the newly instituted government run auction system, the Hache cooperative was granted a "second window" exception - only one of three cooperatives to receive such a pass. What this means is the Hache coffee maintains traceability. In other words, it retains its identity and its organic and Fair Trade certification survive export. Without this exception, coffee would be sold to the government run auction where they would be grouped by region and then graded by quality. This is bad news for farmers who adhere to farming best-practices to produce world-class coffee, only to have it tossed in the mix with coffee from those less committed.

Year after year the Hache cooperative produces unique, insanely flavorful coffee. This years Sidamo Natural is what we have come to expect from this group - a byproduct of dedication, exceptional farming, harvesting, and processing - combined with a stellar microclimate and biodiversity.