"The dry aroma is filled with blueberry, peach, and mango. The first sip reveals a medley of berry, mango, and blueberry flavors, with peach providing a soft, juicy backdrop. Chocolate and toffee notes surface on the finish, offering depth and a velvety sweetness."

Hambela Buku Abel is one of Ethiopia’s most celebrated coffees, renowned for its consistent quality and performance in competitions. This coffee was a Champion of the African Taste of Harvest (TOH) for the Natural Process category in both 2016 and 2017, and placed in the Top 3 in 2018. The last time we featured this remarkable lot was in 2019. After a pause due to the pandemic in 2020, we are pleased to bring it back once again.

The coffee is processed at the Buku Abel Washing Station, located in the small town of Buku in Hambela, approximately 400 km south of Addis Ababa. The station is owned and managed by DW Exports, a respected exporter led by Demissie Edema.

The cherries processed here are grown by smallholder farmers in Buku, many of whom manage less than 2 hectares of coffee trees per family. The washing station itself sits at 2,000 masl, but many surrounding farms reach up to 2,300 masl. These extreme altitudes slow cherry maturation, resulting in greater aromatic intensity and flavor complexity.

The processing method has remained unchanged since the station’s TOH victories. Only cherries grown at elevations above 2,000 masl and harvested at peak ripeness are accepted. These are first soaked in cold river water, where floaters are skimmed off. The remaining cherries are then dried on customized raised beds, designed to prevent any additional moisture absorption. This classic sun-dried approach enhances sweetness and clarity.

Variety : Hierloom
Altitude : 2100 to 2300 masl
Process : Natural
Origin : Buku, Hambela