Ethiopia Chelbesa is a coffee celebrity in the Illegal Beans roastery's range – elegant, fresh, and unforgettable. The taste immediately draws you in with notes of candied lemon, delicately scented green tea, and roasted almonds coated in honey. The very first sniff tells you that this is no ordinary cup of coffee. The taste is beautifully harmonious and balanced – fresh citrus juiciness meets delicate sweetness and nutty smoothness that lingers on the palate long after each sip.
The coffee comes from the legendary Yirgacheffe region, specifically from the village of Chelbesa in the Gedeb region, which is one of the most renowned places for growing specialty coffee. At an altitude of 2,173 meters above sea level, approximately 672 small farmers grow coffee here, tending to the traditional Ethiopian varieties 74158 and 74112 on their small fields. Each harvest is the result of manual labor, honest care, and respect for nature and the beans themselves.
Processing takes place at the Chelbesa station using the washed method, which gives the coffee purity and clarity. The cherries are first carefully sorted and washed, then fermented for 2-3 days, followed by twelve hours of soaking and drying on raised beds for 7-10 days. Finally, each bean undergoes a detailed inspection to ensure that only the highest quality beans are bagged.
The result is a cup with an exceptionally clean and layered flavor profile that stands out especially in espresso. Chelbesa from Illegal Beans is a coffee that will win you over immediately with its freshness, sweetness, and elegance.