Danche Yellow Honey- Ethiopia

This honey-processed Ethiopian coffee comes to us from Danche station in Gedeb, one of two sites operated by SNAP Specialty Coffee in the kebele of Chelbesa. Founded in 2019, Danche now processes cherry from approximately 800 nearby smallholder farmers, most of whom grow small amounts of coffee on 2-3 hectare plots of land at significant elevation. Danche began with a focus on washed lots but has since expanded to include natural, honey, and experimental preparations. In the honey process, cherries are partially depulped, leaving a calibrated amount of fruit mucilage on the seeds. Honeys are often categorized by color, a reference to the amount of mucilage left intact, with darker colors indicating more mucilage and lighter colors less. For this yellow honey, cherries were partially depulped, then dry fermented for two days before being finished on raised beds for 10-14 days. The resulting cup is densely sweet and fruited yet light and sparkling, with structured acidity, hoppy florality, and flavors of jammy citrus, tropical fruit, and fresh berries.

Sourced from the Gedeb region of Ethiopia, the Danche Yellow Honey is a distinct offering from the Danche station. This lot utilizes a honey process, a technique that sits between washed and natural methods by leaving a portion of the fruit mucilage on the bean during drying. As detailed in our processing methods explainer, this approach often influences the final cup profile, frequently resulting in heightened sweetness and a syrupy body.

Roasted by Tandem Coffee Roasters, this specific coffee presents a vibrant profile characterized by jammy citrus, tropical fruit, and fresh berries. When evaluating such complex profiles, referencing a flavor wheel can be a helpful tool for identifying the nuanced acidity and fruit-forward characteristics common in high-quality Ethiopian coffees. This selection highlights the unique intersection of regional terroir and careful post-harvest handling, offering a bright and fruit-driven experience for those exploring the diverse landscape of East African origins.