This is Ethiopia, and it certainly doesn’t play it safe. Alo Bembe Natural NX from the Scandinavian roastery Coffea Circulor delivers a juicy, light, and distinctly fruity cup. The aroma is reminiscent of apricots and red grapes, while the flavor fully unfolds with mango, nectarine, and star fruit. The aftertaste returns to nectarine and adds red currant, while a fresh, apple-like acidity keeps the entire profile nicely lively. The coffee earned a cupping score of 90 points, and its clean, fruity character is best enjoyed brewed with a filter.
Behind this coffee is Tamiru Tadesse, who founded Alo Coffee in 2020 together with his wife, Messi. Just one year later, their first competition lot won the 2021 Ethiopian Cup of Excellence, quickly propelling Alo Coffee into the ranks of the specialty coffee scene’s most recognized names. This lot comes from the village of Bembe in the Bensa region of Sidama, where the coffee grows at an elevation of 2,100 to 2,280 meters above sea level. Tamiru works with approximately 60 smallholder farmers there who supply cherries to Alo’s main station. Their farms average only about 0.8 hectares. The JARC 74158 variety is grown here, bred by Ethiopia’s Jimma Agricultural Research Centre with a focus, among other things, on resilience and cup quality.
The processing this time is beautifully straightforward. Farmers hand-pick only ripe red cherries, which undergo thorough manual sorting upon arrival at the station. The whole cherries are then spread out on raised African beds, where they dry for approximately 21 days. During drying, they are regularly raked and turned to ensure even moisture loss. This natural processing method allows the sweet tropical fruit notes to shine through while keeping the cup light and juicy.
- Producer: Tamiru Tadesse, Alo Coffee
- Altitude: 2, 100–2,280 m above sea level
- Lot size: 60 kg