Pineapple, juicy sour cherries, and citrus notes that gradually give way to a delicately floral finish. Ethiopia Guji Uraga from the Slovak roastery KAFFA is a distinctive filter coffee that showcases not only the character of the Guji region but also its unconventional processing method using carbonic maceration. The cup is dominated by sweet pineapple and sour cherries, complemented by the subtle bitterness of cocoa nibs. Sicilian orange adds another layer, and a light note of lemon blossom emerges in the aftertaste. The result is a lively, juicy, and complex profile with a cupping score of 87 points.
The coffee comes from the Guji region and the Uraga Washing Station, located in the village of Solomo in the Uraga district. The station is owned by the Ethiopian family-run company Tracon Trading PLC and was established in 2014 by Zelale Alemu, a partner at Tracon. Today, approximately 2, 000 smallholder farmers from surrounding villages supply their coffee cherries to the station. Local farms are often only about one hectare in size, and coffee grows there alongside other crops, with almost no use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. At an elevation of 1,925 to 1,945 meters, varieties bred by the JARC research center grow alongside local heirloom varieties.
After a selective hand harvest, only ripe cherries are selected and placed in a sealed container filled with carbon dioxide. This CO₂-rich environment is the basis of carbonic maceration and influences both the fermentation process and the resulting flavor profile. The cherries remain whole—with both skin and pulp—and fermentation can last from several days to several weeks. They are then lightly rinsed with clean water and transferred whole to raised beds, where they are regularly turned and slowly dried. This is therefore a natural processing method with preceding carbonic maceration, in which the pulp remains on the berry throughout the drying process.
- Station: Uraga Washing Station (Solomo, Tracon Trading PLC)
- Elevation: 1,925–1,945 m above sea level