Basha Bekele Bombe An

Umeshu, honeysuckle, jasmine, and cantaloupe. There's a sweetness here that sits somewhere between stone fruit and melon, held together by a floral thread that runs through the whole cup.

This lot comes from Basha Bekele, an independent producer in Bensa, Sidama, farming his own 12 hectares and working with over 120 nearby smallholders at 2,200 to 2,300 metres. Basha holds his own export license, which means he controls traceability and quality from cherry selection through to shipment. In 2024 he won first place at the Ethiopia Cup of Excellence, scoring 90.50 with a natural-processed 74158 lot. This particular coffee is an anaerobic natural, fermented for 56 hours before drying. It's 74158 varietal, the same Walega type behind his competition win, and the altitude and slow cherry maturation at Bensa give it a clarity that keeps the fermentation expressive without tipping into noise.

Works well as both filter and espresso. On espresso, expect the cantaloupe and honeysuckle to come forward with milk. On filter, the umeshu quality is easier to find if you let it cool.

Origin: Bensa, Sidama, Ethiopia
Producer: Basha Bekele
Elevation: 2,200–2,300 masl
Varietal: 74158
Process: 56-Hour Anaerobic Natural
Roast Level: Light-Medium
Tasting Notes: Umeshu · Honeysuckle · Jasmine · Cantaloupe