This lot, called Chelbesa One Espresso from the American roaster Prodigal, is one of their most popular washed Ethiopian coffees of this season. The flavor profile of this espresso offers an exceptionally diverse range of notes, with juicy apricot and ripe grapes standing out at the forefront, giving way in the finish to an elegant and clean aftertaste of black tea. The roaster opted for a slightly darker roast profile compared to the filter version, giving the coffee a wonderful body and ideal balance for espresso without losing its characteristic fruity character.
The beans come from the Gedeb region of Ethiopia, where they were processed at the renowned Chelbesa One washing station, which is managed by SNAP Specialty Coffee. This station is supplied by approximately 1,000 smallholder farmers from the surrounding area, who farm small high-altitude plots ranging from 2 to 3 hectares and grow the traditional Ethiopian varieties Korume and Wolisho. As part of SNAP Specialty Coffee’s support program, farmers undergo training focused on sustainable agronomic practices that take climate change into account, which is directly reflected in the exceptional quality of the coffee cherries they supply.
This entire coffee lot was processed using the classic and meticulously executed washed method. After being hand-picked, the coffee cherries were first sorted in a water bath using flotation to remove defective beans, and after hulling, they underwent dry fermentation lasting two to three days. After thorough washing in clean water, the beans were dried on African drying beds for 7 to 10 days, with constant manual turning, ensuring perfect cleanliness, consistent quality, and a clear expression of the variety in every cup.