Light, fresh, and tea-like, Hambella is exactly the kind of filter coffee that practically drinks itself. Peach, lemongrass, and black tea come together in this Ethiopian coffee to create a light and fresh profile that leans more toward subtlety than pronounced sweetness. Ethiopia Hambella from the Hungarian roaster Casino Mocca, roasted for drip brewing, comes across as clean, lively, and elegant in the cup. Ripe peach brings a fruity sweetness, lemongrass adds freshness, and black tea provides a gently astringent finish. The result is a coffee that will particularly delight those who prefer a lighter, fruitier, and tea-like profile over rich chocolate notes.
The lot comes from the Hambella area in Ethiopia’s Guji region, where coffee trees grow at an altitude of approximately 2,000 to 2,300 meters above sea level. It is produced by small-scale farmers who grow local Ethiopian Arabica varieties on their farms and then transport the harvested cherries to nearby processing stations. Guji is now recognized as a distinct coffee-growing area, although it was previously part of the broader Sidamo designation. Local farmers use traditional cultivation methods, and the coffee trees grow naturally among other plants. The high elevation, local microclimate, and traditional farming practices create conditions that result in coffees with a delicate and distinctly fruity character.
The coffee was processed using the washed method with spontaneous fermentation. After harvest, the skin and most of the pulp are removed from the cherries; the beans are then fermented and subsequently washed with clean water. Drying takes place on elevated African drying beds at an altitude of up to 2,000 meters above sea level. During this process, the beans are turned regularly to ensure even drying. The washed method helps preserve the purity and precision of the resulting flavor profile and allows the coffee’s natural character to shine through without being overshadowed by more pronounced fermentation notes.
- Region: Guji
- Processing Station: Hambella
- Elevation: 2,000–2,300 meters above sea level