Ethiopia | Kochere Saona G1 Washed
Lemon Zest | Yuzu | Bergamot | Orange Blossom
Farmer/Producer: Various smallholder farmers in Kochere
Process: Washed
Region: SNNP, Gedeo Zone, Yirgacheffe/Kochere
Variety: Heirloom
Altitude: 1,900–2,100 masl
When we think of washed coffees from Kochere in the Yirgacheffe region, the hallmark is their precision, clarity, and floral-laced citrus vibrancy. This lot, named Saona—meaning Valley of the Wind in Ethiopian Amharic—captures the essence of the highland breeze and the lush valleys where these coffees grow. Expect a refined and clean cup with lively lemon zest, layered yuzu, juicy peach sweetness, and a lingering bergamot and orange blossom finish.
The Process
This Grade 1 lot is meticulously handpicked and sorted before undergoing a traditional washed process. The parchment coffee is fermented to develop clarity and bright fruit character, then washed and carefully dried on raised beds under the watchful eye of station managers. The attention to detail at every stage ensures a cup that reflects both the terroir and the skill of the producers.
Kochere sits high in the Gedeo Zone, a subregion of Yirgacheffe recognized for producing some of Ethiopia’s most expressive coffees. From Addis Ababa, it’s an eight-hour journey to Yirgacheffe town, followed by a winding 50-kilometer drive into the highlands of Kochere, where elevations reach up to 2,100 masl. The rugged, mountainous terrain and cool highland breezes create ideal conditions for slow coffee cherry maturation, leading to concentrated sugars and distinctive aromatics.
What to Expect:
Saona is a vibrant and elegant coffee that performs beautifully as both filter and espresso. Allow it to rest after roasting to let its florals and citrus notes fully open. On filter, a 1:17 brew ratio highlights its lemony brightness, delicate florals, and silky peach sweetness. For espresso, a 1:3 ratio pulled in 22-24 seconds will bring out its juicy citrus vibrancy and smooth, clean finish. Enjoy it black to experience its full complexity or with a touch of milk for a softer, more rounded expression.
Lemon Zest | Yuzu | Bergamot | Orange Blossom
Farmer/Producer: Various smallholder farmers in Kochere
Process: Washed
Region: SNNP, Gedeo Zone, Yirgacheffe/Kochere
Variety: Heirloom
Altitude: 1,900–2,100 masl
When we think of washed coffees from Kochere in the Yirgacheffe region, the hallmark is their precision, clarity, and floral-laced citrus vibrancy. This lot, named Saona—meaning Valley of the Wind in Ethiopian Amharic—captures the essence of the highland breeze and the lush valleys where these coffees grow. Expect a refined and clean cup with lively lemon zest, layered yuzu, juicy peach sweetness, and a lingering bergamot and orange blossom finish.
The Process
This Grade 1 lot is meticulously handpicked and sorted before undergoing a traditional washed process. The parchment coffee is fermented to develop clarity and bright fruit character, then washed and carefully dried on raised beds under the watchful eye of station managers. The attention to detail at every stage ensures a cup that reflects both the terroir and the skill of the producers.
Kochere sits high in the Gedeo Zone, a subregion of Yirgacheffe recognized for producing some of Ethiopia’s most expressive coffees. From Addis Ababa, it’s an eight-hour journey to Yirgacheffe town, followed by a winding 50-kilometer drive into the highlands of Kochere, where elevations reach up to 2,100 masl. The rugged, mountainous terrain and cool highland breezes create ideal conditions for slow coffee cherry maturation, leading to concentrated sugars and distinctive aromatics.
What to Expect:
Saona is a vibrant and elegant coffee that performs beautifully as both filter and espresso. Allow it to rest after roasting to let its florals and citrus notes fully open. On filter, a 1:17 brew ratio highlights its lemony brightness, delicate florals, and silky peach sweetness. For espresso, a 1:3 ratio pulled in 22-24 seconds will bring out its juicy citrus vibrancy and smooth, clean finish. Enjoy it black to experience its full complexity or with a touch of milk for a softer, more rounded expression.
Lemon Zest | Yuzu | Bergamot | Orange Blossom
Farmer/Producer: Various smallholder farmers in Kochere
Process: Washed
Region: SNNP, Gedeo Zone, Yirgacheffe/Kochere
Variety: Heirloom
Altitude: 1,900–2,100 masl
When we think of washed coffees from Kochere in the Yirgacheffe region, the hallmark is their precision, clarity, and floral-laced citrus vibrancy. This lot, named Saona—meaning Valley of the Wind in Ethiopian Amharic—captures the essence of the highland breeze and the lush valleys where these coffees grow. Expect a refined and clean cup with lively lemon zest, layered yuzu, juicy peach sweetness, and a lingering bergamot and orange blossom finish.
The Process
This Grade 1 lot is meticulously handpicked and sorted before undergoing a traditional washed process. The parchment coffee is fermented to develop clarity and bright fruit character, then washed and carefully dried on raised beds under the watchful eye of station managers. The attention to detail at every stage ensures a cup that reflects both the terroir and the skill of the producers.
Kochere sits high in the Gedeo Zone, a subregion of Yirgacheffe recognized for producing some of Ethiopia’s most expressive coffees. From Addis Ababa, it’s an eight-hour journey to Yirgacheffe town, followed by a winding 50-kilometer drive into the highlands of Kochere, where elevations reach up to 2,100 masl. The rugged, mountainous terrain and cool highland breezes create ideal conditions for slow coffee cherry maturation, leading to concentrated sugars and distinctive aromatics.
What to Expect:
Saona is a vibrant and elegant coffee that performs beautifully as both filter and espresso. Allow it to rest after roasting to let its florals and citrus notes fully open. On filter, a 1:17 brew ratio highlights its lemony brightness, delicate florals, and silky peach sweetness. For espresso, a 1:3 ratio pulled in 22-24 seconds will bring out its juicy citrus vibrancy and smooth, clean finish. Enjoy it black to experience its full complexity or with a touch of milk for a softer, more rounded expression.