Tulise Natural, Ethiopia (2026)

The Tulise kebele (village) is 18 km east of the town of Yirgacheffe. This coffee comes from the washing station in Tulise, owned by Hirut Gute. The Tulise site gets most of its coffee cherries from around 500 farmers around the Tulise village, and a few other adjacent villages.

Hirut is a third-generation coffee producer. Originally, she was only buying and producing natural coffee in the Yirgacheffe area, however in 2022, Hirut set up the Tulise washing station making her one of only a handful of women that own and manage a washing station in all of Ethiopia.

Hirut collaborates with SNAP, an exporter focused on high quality coffees from Gedeo and Guji. SNAP assists with financing, quality control, and processing techniques, ensuring not only that the Tulise site produces washed and natural coffees to the highest standard, but also creates unique microlots for coffee roasters as well.

Once coffee is delivered to the Tulise processing site, it is put on raised beds and sorted for ripeness. The ripe coffee cherries are turned throughout the day by hand to ensure even drying. The drying process takes roughly 15-20 depending on weather.

The Tulise Natural, sourced from the Yirgacheffe region of Ethiopia, represents a distinct expression of the area’s renowned coffee heritage. Produced by Hirut Gute and roasted by Highwire Coffee Roasters, this 2026 lot utilizes the natural process. In this method, the coffee cherry is dried intact around the bean, a technique that often imparts a heavier body and pronounced fruit-forward characteristics compared to washed counterparts.

Understanding the impact of these processing methods is essential for appreciating the complexity found in such selections. As you explore the nuances of this specific origin, you may find it helpful to reference the flavor wheel to better identify the diverse aromatic and taste profiles inherent in Ethiopian coffees. By focusing on the intersection of regional terroir and careful post-harvest handling, this entry highlights the unique character that Hirut Gute brings to the cup through the traditional natural drying approach.