There are coffees that people associate with a particular season. And then there are those that embody the feeling of summer itself. Summer Coffee from The Barn offers exactly the kind of cup you’ll want to come back to on hot days—light, juicy, and refreshing. The flavor profile features ripe peach, delicate jasmine, and fresh lemongrass, while as the cup cools, notes reminiscent of iced black tea with lemon come to the fore. A pronounced sweetness beautifully rounds out the entire coffee, and together with a clean citrus acidity, it creates a profile that feels vibrant. That’s exactly why The Barn named it Summer Coffee. It captures the essence of summer perhaps better than anything else.
Behind this coffee is Ismael Hassen Aredo and his family-run Kayon Mountain farm in Ethiopia’s Guji region, one of the most renowned areas for growing specialty coffee. The farm spans 500 hectares, of which approximately 300 hectares are covered by coffee trees growing at an altitude of over 2,100 meters above sea level. Ismael has been running it together with his family since 2012, and in addition to his focus on quality, he also cares deeply about the people around him. The farm employs dozens of permanent workers and hundreds of seasonal workers, supports the local community, and helps fund schools and other infrastructure. It is precisely this combination of exceptional natural conditions, meticulous work, and long-term care for the entire region that gives rise to coffees capable of fully showcasing the character of Guji.
This coffee is based on a blend of traditional Ethiopian Heirloom varieties, which are characteristic of the Guji region for their distinctive floral aroma, juiciness, and elegant complexity. After harvesting, the cherries are pulped, then fermented for 8 to 12 hours, and finally washed with clean water to bring out the natural character of the bean itself. Drying takes place on raised African drying beds for 5 to 15 days, depending on the weather, allowing the coffee to retain the purity and delicacy of its flavor profile. The result is a cup that lets the Guji terroir shine through—sweet, fresh, and incredibly distinct.