Pomelo pop

Sweetness: Bilar Candy
Acidity: Pomelo
Aftertaste: Lavender

• Country: Ethiopia

• Region: Guji

• Washing Station: Hambela Wamena

• Producer: ~3,900 smallholder farmers

• Altitude: 1,970–2,241 meters above sea level

• Varieties: Heirloom Ethiopian Varieties

• Process: Natural

PROCESSING:

This expressive lot comes from the Hambela Wamena Washing Station in the Guji region of Ethiopia, cultivated at 1,970–2,241 meters above sea level. Guji’s high altitudes, fertile red soils, and forested landscapes provide an ideal terroir, producing coffees with deep fruit character, chocolate tones, and floral aromatics.

This coffee is naturally processed. Ripe cherries are hand-delivered to the station on the day of harvest, sorted carefully, rinsed clean of dirt, and spread on raised drying beds. Over 8–25 days, depending on the weather, the cherries are turned frequently to ensure even drying and to avoid over-fermentation.

The result is a sweet, layered cup with notes of cocoa, dried lavender, and burnt sugar, balanced by a mild tart acidity and fruit-like sweetness.

HISTORY:

The Hambela Wamena Washing Station was founded in 2018 by the same visionary who started Tega & Tula farms. Located at the peak of Guji Hambela mountain, the station now works with around 3,900 smallholder farmers, each typically cultivating coffee on less than a hectare of land, often intercropped with other subsistence crops.

Beyond processing coffee, Hambela supports the local community through social programs, including road and school construction, technical support for farmers, and healthcare initiatives—particularly in women’s health. These efforts have made Hambela both a hub for quality coffee and a driver of positive local development.

Guji itself, once considered part of Sidama, has in recent decades emerged with its own distinct identity. Its coffees are celebrated for their rich fruit flavors, deep chocolate tones, and delicate florals, distinguishing them from neighboring Ethiopian regions.