Cup Notes: Floral, Blueberry, Peach Nectar, Clean
 
Origin: Ethiopia
Region: Guji
Process:  Natural
Varietal: Ethiopia Landraces
Elevation: 1900-2300masl
Washing Station: Tebe Melge
 
Tebe Melge is a small washing station run by the 2 Harsu brothers, who grow most of the coffee they process. Tebe Melge Natural’s sourcing area all falls between 1900 and 2300 masl, incredible altitudes that are just one part of what makes them so special. One of the most interesting aspects of the Tebe Melge area is that the trees here are the youngest in the larger region—fully mature, but still distinct in their profile. The microclimate plays a role too, with long, cool nights slowing cherry maturation. Natural processing is carried out with care, so that the terroir of Tebe Melge shines through as the main element of the final product. The main challenge here is labor availability, and high wages per day guarantee access to the best cherry. There’s plenty of price competition too, with a lot of exporters vying for Tebe Melge’s unique profile. Security is another challenge for those working in or near this densely forested subregion. Although this natural has loads of sweet fruit notes it is also extremely clean and complex and lands in a beautiful middle ground between what we would expect from a washed and a natural. This offering works well on almost all brew methods from drip to espresso.