Like a handful of Skittles, with blueberries, mango, and pineapple added. Ethiopia LALESA from Ovni Coffee roastery unfolds a vibrant fruity blend in the cup, with a distinct candy-like sweetness. Tropical notes meet a hint of blueberry, and together they create a playful profile that will keep you coming back for more. Despite all that sweetness, the coffee retains the clarity and liveliness typical of high-altitude coffees from Gedeb. Treat yourself to a little fruity tasting experience—all you need is your favorite cup.
The coffee comes from growers near the Lalesa station in the Gedeb region of Yirgacheffe, at an elevation of approximately 2, 150 to 2,200 meters. The coffee trees grow here in the shade of trees and enset plants, known as false banana trees. The high elevation and shade promote slow ripening of the cherries. Ephtah Specialty Coffee has been developing the station since 2023, and today it includes approximately 400 drying beds. The company is also committed to supporting local communities, for example through a childcare center for growers’ children and the Ama Commitment initiative, which supports women in coffee-growing regions.
Varieties 74110 and 74112 were processed using the Red Honey method. Ripe cherries are first sorted in water, where less dense and defective fruits are separated. The selected cherries rest on drying beds for about one day and are then stripped of their skin and part of the pulp. A mucilage layer remains on the beans, which are then slowly dried in the shade for about 20 days. Once drying is complete, the coffee is transported to Addis Ababa, where it is prepared for export at the Moplaco warehouse in the Gerji district. From there, it continues by rail to Djibouti.
- Producer: Ephtah Specialty Coffee
- Elevation: 2, 150–2,200 m above sea level