ETHIOPIA - DUROMINA (LIGHT)

Origin Ethiopia Region Agaro Gera Zone Jimma Woreda Gomma Union Kata Muduga Cooperative Duromina Altitude 1900-2100 masl Variety Ethiopia Landraces Process Washed Mechanically depulped 12-14 hour soak Drying Raised beds

 

Duromina comes to us from the Agaro region of Western Ethiopia, bringing with it notes of ripe, sultry melon and apricot sweetness tied together by vibrant Meyer lemon acidity. Nowadays, Duromina is a well-known heavy hitter with widespread name recognition, but it actually didn’t find its way to market until ten years ago, when USAID’s Technoserve project vested Agaro—once known for less-than-stellar Grade 5 sundried naturals—with brand-new processing equipment, allowing their coffee to showcase its unique character and improve the lives of those growing it in the process. Duromina operates under the leadership of the Kata Muduga cooperative union, whose continued investment in the coops that it leads makes possible some of the most delicious and coveted coffees in the world. Thanks to Technoserve’s initial investment and the stellar leadership within Duromina and Kata Muduga, Duromina’s processing is immaculate, leading to an incredible showcase of the coffee’s natural potential year after year for a ridiculously long time off harvest. The secret? After Penagos processing equipment mechanically removes most of the fruit and mucilage from the seeds, they soak overnight in fiberglass tanks, allowing any remaining sugars to be fully removed from their surface so that the coffees are perfectly clean by the time they hit the drying beds for the eight-plus days they’ll need to dry. Duromina has always been a Red Fox staple: even before we opened in 2014, Duromina and the larger Agaro region were core projects for Red Fox founding members, dating back a decade. To this day, our long and substantial relationship with with Asnake and Efrem, Kata Muduga’s leaders, affords Red Fox first right to lot selection. On top of that, with mighty effort from our strategic trade partners in Addis, we’re also able ship these lots first so that they enter the country pristine as when they left and with even more time to shine. Remarkably, Duromina not only starts the season stellar, it actually continues to open up and give even more over time, sometimes peaking in perfection at ten to twelve months off harvest and lasting long after that.

Produced by the Duromina cooperative in the Agaro Gera region of Ethiopia, this washed coffee showcases the distinct character of Ethiopia Landraces. Washed coffees, as detailed in our processing methods explainer, are typically prized for their ability to highlight the inherent clarity and acidity of the bean. By removing the fruit flesh before drying, this method often results in a cleaner cup profile that allows delicate, nuanced flavors to shine through.

Sourced by SkyTop Coffee, this lot reflects the high-elevation terroir of Agaro Gera, where the cool climate contributes to a slower maturation of the coffee cherry. When evaluating the complex profile of such origins, referencing a flavor wheel can be a helpful tool for identifying the specific fruit-forward notes often found in Ethiopia · Agaro Gera coffees. This particular selection offers a vibrant, bright experience, balancing a sultry melon sweetness with the sharp, citrus-like acidity characteristic of the region.