Chelbesa - Ethiopia

We’re excited to have back on our menu for another season this bright, refreshing classic from the Chelbesa One Washing Station. Approximately 1,000 smallholder farmers deliver cherry to Chelbesa One, one of seven washing stations across Ethiopia managed by SNAP Coffee. Cherries are sorted, floated, and depulped, then dry fermented in tanks for 48-72 hours before being washed and placed to dry on raised beds for 7-10 days. Coffees from this station are typically pristine and elegant. Expect a crisp, lightly effervescent profile with white tea aromatics and flavors of grapefruit, melon, and peach.

This washed Ethiopian from Chelbesa One Washing Station exemplifies the clarity and delicate fruit character that Ethiopia is celebrated for. The roaster identifies white tea aromatics alongside bright stone fruits—grapefruit, melon, and peach—a profile typical of washed coffees that emphasize cleaner, more refined flavors through careful water processing. The tea-like quality and subtle citrus notes invite comparison to lighter-roasted origins valued for their complexity rather than heavy body. For those exploring flavor dimensions in specialty coffee, Chelbesa offers an accessible entry point into East African coffees' characteristic brightness. Tandem Coffee Roasters has highlighted the melon and peach notes prominently, suggesting the roast captures the washing station's characteristic cup profile.