Muda Tatesa, Ethiopia

At some of Ethiopia’s most extreme altitudes lies Guji’s Uraga region, a dense, mountainous forest that spans almost a thousand miles. Within this immense forest lies an array of distinct subregions, where we source some of the most extraordinary and sought-after coffees we see anywhere in the world. Uraga coffees are profoundly nuanced with a piquant florality and a bright, complex acidity like lime and bergamot backed by stone fruit sweetness like ripe peach. When we taste Guji coffees, we look for that taste that we describe as almost scallion-like when fresh, which ripens into that unparalleled florality on arrival.

This year, we’re even more excited about Uraga due a new offering from a very esteemed producer: Dagne Chomen of Welichu Wachu. Dagne is from Wollega, which is Oromo territory and lies closer to the Sudan border. Through his time with the Oromia Union he worked extensively in Guji, which is also Oromo territory. He has an intuitive and specific understanding of Uraga, which lies at the center of Guji, and built his centralized washing station in an area called Muda Tatesa that sources from elevations as high as 2300 masl. While he purchases some of the best coffee cherries in Uraga to process and sell as his own, this lot is sourced directly from coffee grown in the area of Muda Tatesa where the mill is located.

Dagne’s is a stickler for process and the coffees are perfect. This washed offering is a classic representation of the best of the flavors of Uraga. Equally tropical and floral this offering is both an easy drinker and layered with depth – look for flavors of mango, coconut and the aroma of violets.