Ethiopia Chelbesa Washed

Origin and harvest

Ethiopian coffee production is deeply influenced by the country's three main seasons. The Bega season (October-January) is a long dry season that is crucial for coffee harvesting and processing. The Belg season (February-May) brings the first rains, essential for coffee flowering and early fruit development. The Krempt season (June-September) is characterized by heavy rains from the east, which are crucial for the later stages of coffee fruit development and ripening. By the end of September, the rains abruptly cease, allowing the coffee fruit to ripen, leading to the busy harvest season in November.

About Ephtah Specialty Coffee

Ephtah Specialty Coffee is dedicated to building sustainable and collaborative supply chains that benefit customers, farmers and their communities. The company emphasizes supporting the role of women in the coffee industry and recognizes their key role in driving social and economic change in Ethiopia. Ephtah ensures quality at every stage of the transportation process and is focused on providing the highest quality green coffee beans and maintaining the satisfaction of all stakeholders in the supply chain.

Chelbesa, Gedeb

Chelbesa, located in Gedeb, is an important coffee sourcing area where Eftah exclusively leases and manages a washing station. The washing station in Chelbesa (Kebele) in Gedeb (Woreda) plays a key role in processing high quality coffee. The region is predominantly Christian, with both Protestant and Orthodox followers.

The farm covers 2 hectares and is located at an altitude of 2150–2200 m above sea level. It employs 17 permanent employees and an additional 150 workers during the harvest season from late November to January. The farm has 150 drying rooms and grows traditional coffee varieties.

Plot information

The Chelbesa coffee parcel in Gedeb, grown at an altitude of 2200 m above sea level, comprises a total parcel size of approximately 38,400 kg. The best cherries are selected, floated and crushed. The coffee is then fermented in waterless fermentation tanks and dried for 10-15 days. This processing method ensures the highest quality coffee. After drying and storage, the coffee is transported to Moplac in Gerja, Addis Ababa, and then by train to Djibouti for export.

Economic, social, administrative and management

Ephtah did not list any other social or environmental projects associated with this batch, but the company remains committed to supporting local communities and ensuring fair compensation for coffee producers.

General information

The main challenge during this crop cycle was managing the fermentation and drying processes to maintain high coffee quality. Despite these challenges, the site remains committed to producing exceptional coffee and contributing to the local economy. Future plans include improving processing infrastructure and expanding support for local farmers.

In addition to coffee, the farmers also grow other crops, although specific details are not provided in the information for this batch. The Ephtah location in Chelbes is a significant contributor to coffee production in the region, underscoring the company's commitment to coffee quality and production capacity.