Cadence Espresso

Our latest iteration of Cadence Espresso comes from the Dogo Sodu processing facility, just outside the town of Gerba in Ethiopia's Guji Zone, run by Gemechu Shonora alongside his brothers Shebura, Morkata and Adugna. Their father spent years working as a coffee collector in the area, travelling between the surrounding villages to buy cherry from local farmers, and that relationship has carried through into the mill their sons now run. Cherry for this lot is sourced from smallholders in Gerba Layo, at altitudes between 2,250 and 2,350 masl.

Every delivery of cherry is first floated in water to separate out any underripe or defective coffee, with only the ripest cherries carried forward. The selected cherries then go straight onto raised drying beds, spending three days in full sun before moving under shade cover for a further fifteen days, drying slowly and evenly to protect the fruit character developed during processing. Throughout this period, workers hand-sort the beds to remove any visible defects, which is what allows the family to consistently produce quality lots.

This natural processed coffee has the fruit forward intensity the Guji region is known for, with a black cherry sweetness that sits at the front of the cup and carries through into a rich, baker's chocolate depth with a gentle Earl Grey character, lending a floral, bergamot-like lingering characteristic. In milk, that same sweetness rounds out into something closer to rum raisin ice cream. Boozy dried fruit and cream, with the natural process fermentation giving an indulgent body.

Our Cadence Espresso changes seasonally, showcasing standout coffees from around the world. Expect something new every 3-6 months. 

Recommended recipe: 18g dose - 40g yield in 28-30 seconds.

Sourced from the Guji Zone of Ethiopia, this Cadence Espresso is produced by Gemechu Shonora. As a natural-processed coffee, it undergoes a processing method where the cherry remains intact during drying, a technique often associated with heightened sweetness and complex, fruit-forward profiles. Clifton Coffee Roasters highlights a distinct character in this lot, featuring notes of black cherry, baker’s chocolate, and Earl Grey, alongside the indulgent qualities of rum raisin ice cream and boozy dried fruit.

When evaluating such nuanced profiles, it is helpful to reference a flavor wheel to better identify the interplay between the deep, cocoa-toned base and the vibrant, fermented fruit characteristics. Grown at high elevations between 2250 and 2350 masl, this selection showcases the unique terroir of the Guji region, offering a creamy mouthfeel that balances its more intense, spirit-like aromatics. It serves as a compelling example of how careful processing can elevate the inherent qualities of Ethiopian heirloom varieties.