ETHIOPIA Dahab – Medium Roast Specialty Coffee

Ethiopia – Dahab

Origin Details

• Location: Kafa Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO-protected forest region, Ethiopia

• Altitude: 1800–2100 masl

• Varietal: Ethiopian Heirloom (mixed local landraces)

• Process: Likely washed or natural, depending on lot (not specified—washed is common in Kafa)

• Cup Profile: Stewed apple, blackberry, sweet warming spices

Producer & Origin Story

This coffee is produced by the Dehab Speciality Farm, a women-led initiative located in the lush and biodiverse Kafa Biosphere Reserve, recognised by UNESCO for its role as one of the last remaining wild coffee forests in the world.

Dehab’s mission extends beyond quality coffee production—it emphasizes sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and female empowerment. Women farmers and leaders in the community play a pivotal role in managing the land, protecting the native forest ecosystem, and ensuring that heritage coffee traditions continue in harmony with the environment.

Farming & Processing Practices

• Farming Conditions: The coffee is cultivated in a shade-grown environment, within the protected Kafa forest, which provides rich soils, natural pest resistance, and a slower cherry maturation that intensifies sweetness.

• Varietals: A mix of Ethiopian heirloom varieties, grown semi-wild and harvested by hand.

• Processing: While specific methods are not detailed, Kafa coffees are typically washed (fully washed / wet process) or natural (sun-dried with fruit). Both highlight clarity and fruit-forward profiles—washed accentuates bright juiciness, while natural emphasises depth and sweetness.

• Sustainability: Farming is environmentally conscious, with minimal chemical use and a focus on protecting the native forest. The cooperative structure promotes knowledge sharing, organic practices, and fair livelihoods.

Quality & Cup Characteristics

• Flavour Profile: A layered and elegant cup—stewed apple providing a mellow fruit base, lifted by the juiciness of blackberries, and wrapped in warming sweet spice notes (cinnamon, clove-like hints).

• Body & Balance: Medium-bodied, with a harmonious balance between fruity sweetness and spice complexity.

• Strengths: A versatile profile that works beautifully in filter brews for nuance and also stands out in espresso for its fruit-spice richness.

Why This Coffee Stands Out

• Heritage & Biodiversity: Cultivated in the heart of the Kafa Biosphere, the birthplace of wild Arabica coffee.

• Women-Led Empowerment: Produced by the Dehab Speciality Farm, a women-led initiative championing female farmers and community uplift.

• Sustainability First: Shade-grown, eco-conscious practices preserve the local ecosystem while delivering exceptional cup quality.

• Unique Flavour Journey: The combination of fruit and spice creates a cup that is both comforting and distinctive.