Ethiopia: Dry Process Kafa Dehab Mesfin Farm

Dehab Mesfin's 330 hectare coffee farm is located in Southwestern Ethiopia, near the Bonga forest in Kafa. Her farm includes 60 hectares of natural forest reserve, with 200 hectares planted in coffee that is divided into 7 different plots. Dehab acquired her farm as part of a land grant by the government, where large areas of semi-forested area were given to farmers with the idea that planting coffee while preserving the natural forest canopy would be an improvement toward sustainability. The setting at the farm looks like natural forest coffee, though it's actually considered "semi-forest" coffee, since the coffee is not wild, but the primary forest canopy is kept intact. In addition to processing her own coffee, Dehab buys cherry from local farmers as well, but does not mix the two. This is a single farm lot from Dehab's own estate. They are mostly producing full natural process coffee, with smaller amounts of anaerobic naturals (fermenting the whole cherry for 72 hours before drying), and honeys that are produced with a small hand depulper. This is a dry process coffee, meaning the whole coffee cherries are laid to dry without removing the seeds (beans). The drying period can take up to 3 weeks depending on weather, and often results in much fruitier flavor profiles than the wet process method. In addition to coffee, Dehab has an organic honey operation as well!  This is another beautiful Farm Gate coffee that is great as espresso.

Cupping Notes: Strawberry, cinnamon streusel, inky dark chocolate, and floral accents

Brew Recommendations: Drip, French Press, pour over, espresso.

Farm Gate Coffee: Farmers paid at least 50% above Fair Trade

Varietal: Heirloom Cultivars

Region: Kebele Tula, Gimbo District, Kafa

Altitude: 1900 – 2100 meters

Process: Dry process (natural) and sun-dried on raised beds

Equity Pricing (EP) Levels

Sustaining Level: $16 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Uplifting Level: $20 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Benefacting Level: $24 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Sourced from the Kebele Tula area of the Gimbo District, this Ethiopia: Dry Process Kafa Dehab Mesfin Farm selection highlights the unique terroir of the Kafa region. Produced by Dehab Mesfin, this lot utilizes the dry process, a traditional method where the coffee cherry is dried intact, often resulting in a more pronounced body and sweetness. The coffee features Heirloom varieties, which are prized for their genetic diversity and complex profiles. Roasted by Keia & Martyn's Coffee, the cup presents a distinct combination of strawberry and cinnamon streusel, balanced by inky dark chocolate and delicate floral accents. To better understand how these specific descriptors align with broader sensory categories, you can consult the flavor wheel. This offering serves as a compelling example of the Ethiopia · Kebele Tula, Gimbo District, Kafa region’s capacity for producing coffees that bridge the gap between deep, indulgent sweetness and nuanced, aromatic clarity.