SHANTAWENE

ORIGIN : Sidamo, Ethiopia FARMER : Smallholder Farmers ALTITUDE : 2000-2200 m VARIETAL : 74-110, 74-165 PROCESSING : Natural, Raised Beds ROAST : Light TASTING NOTES : Blueberry, Yogurt Smoothie, Strawberry, Vanilla, Milk Chocolate

 

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. It is one of the largest producers of Arabica and the flavors range from rich and earthy to vibrant and complex. This natural lot comes to us from the Shantawane Washing Station in Sidamo, Ethiopia. Located between 2000–2200masl, Shantawene can be found near the base of the Bombe mountain in Southern Ethiopia. The station pays premiums to smallholder farmers to deliver extremely high-quality and freshly picked cherries. In turn, the majority of coffee is delivered to the station from growers in the nearby villages of Shantawene and Bombe and doesn't have to travel far.  

Upon arrival at Shantawene, the cherries are evaluated based on color, ripeness, and density before being floated. The cherries are then dried on raised beds and rotated consistently to ensure even drying. Once they reach their ideal moisture level, the coffee is prepared for export.

 

We roast on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and to ensure the best tasting coffees, orders received after Monday may not be processed or shipped until the following week.

Sourced from smallholder farmers in the Sidamo region of Ethiopia, Shantawene represents the distinct character of high-elevation cultivation. This lot is prepared using the natural process, a method where the coffee cherry is dried intact around the bean. Generally, natural-processed coffees are known for their heavier body and pronounced fruit-forward profiles, often exhibiting jammy or wine-like qualities that contrast with the cleaner, more acidic profiles typical of washed coffees.

Roasted by Bard Coffee, this selection highlights a complex interplay of sweet and creamy notes, including blueberry, strawberry, vanilla, and milk chocolate. When evaluating such nuanced profiles, enthusiasts often refer to the flavor wheel to better identify the specific aromatic compounds present in the cup. Shantawene serves as a compelling example of how traditional processing techniques, when applied to the diverse heirloom varieties of Ethiopia, can produce a vibrant and dessert-like sensory experience.