ROASTING IN SEPTEMBER: ETHIOPIA SHEFINA HIGHLANDS
AN EASY “YES”
Committing to purchase our newest crop was not a tough decision—coffees from this region of Ethiopia tend to be the gold standard for premium, great-tasting beans. This is because coffee grown in this part of the world is not just economy, it’s heritage.
EARTHLY EXCELLENCE
In the cool mountainous highlands of Ethiopia, patience is a flavor you can taste. Nestled within the Great Rift Valley, this fertile growing region is known for its combination of cool climate and high elevation which slows the maturation of the coffee cherries. This unhurried growth allows flavors to develop longer, creating the depth, complexity, and aromatic qualities for which Ethiopian coffees are renowned. Here, Ethiopian heirloom coffee thrives—a well-loved indigenous bean which showcases a craft and quality specific to this part of the world.
INHERENT PROCESS
Ethiopia Shefina Highlands is the product of many smallholder producers who cultivate coffee on family farms throughout the region, and much of the work is done by hand—informed by generations of agricultural knowledge. Coffee cherries are carefully picked at peak ripeness before being delivered to a washing station for processing, where they undergo a controlled fermentation for 12 to 48 hours. The coffee is then fully washed, a method which highlights the clarity and vibrancy of the cup while preserving the unique character of both the region and its processing.
A JOURNEY FOR THE SENSES
The result is a coffee which resonates with the deep and lively roots of Ethiopia’s rich coffee tradition. Ethiopia Shefina Highlands opens with sweet and expressive aromas of jasmine and magnolia, and the bright citrus complexity of blood orange. Notes of cocoa nibs bring structure and depth, and a bold but lively mouthfeel carries each layer of flavor across the palate. As the cup cools, the floral sweetness lingers, settling into a lasting finish reminiscent of caramelized sugar.
PATIENCE PAYS OFF
There is a reason these beans from Sidama caught our attention, and continue to captivate coffee drinkers around the world. The region's unique combination of altitude, climate, soil, and botanical diversity produces flavors that are as distinctive as the landscape itself. Ethiopia Shefina Highlands is a celebration of those conditions, the growers who tend to them, and the beloved coffees that have flourished there for generations—proof that the most delicious cup simply cannot be rushed.
FRESH FROM THE ROASTERY
Consistent, clean, and sweet. These small, slender green beans smelled fresh and promising upon arrival. Despite their size the first crack in the roaster was surprisingly loud, and the temperature in the 12KG drum rose faster than expected. However, once the coffee was finished and swirling in the cooling tray, the result was a nice, even plum-brown color.
Whenever we ground a sample of this coffee, we were met with a big rush of citrus and other fruit—some of the best aromatics in the room in quite some time.
We cupped 4 different roast samples in a blind, randomized evaluation with nine tasters, and there was a very clear consensus on the favorite. The winning sample drew out a wide range of tasting notes from our team, including rhubarb, baker’s chocolate, floral notes of lavender, jasmine green tea, and citrus. The aroma was especially lovely, with notes of lemongrass, lemon zest, and dark chocolate.
We’re very much looking forward to enjoying this coffee all month.
- Michael Madden, Roaster; Jamie Smith, R&D