First, the scent of flowers; then, a generous dose of juiciness; and finally, black tea with lemon. That’s exactly the experience offered by Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Natural Anaerobic from the Czech roastery Krok. From the very first whiff, you’ll be captivated by the distinctive floral aroma, which beautifully complements the coffee’s lively and juicy character. With each subsequent sip, its more delicate side gradually unfolds, and the aftertaste reveals a pleasant combination of black tea and lemon. The result is a fresh and intriguingly layered coffee that will delight lovers of bolder filter coffees as well as those who enjoy discovering new flavors.
The coffee comes from the renowned Yirgacheffe area in Ethiopia’s Gedeo region, where the Negele Gorbitu cooperative operates. Founded in 1975, the cooperative today brings together approximately 1, 100 smallholder farmers, most of whom farm plots smaller than 1 hectare. Coffee trees grow here alongside fruit trees and other vegetation. The cooperative is also part of the YCFCU organization, which assists local growers with education, coffee processing, and access to international markets. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from coffee sales goes back to the community to support the development of education, infrastructure, and access to drinking water.
This lot consists of the traditional Ethiopian varieties Kurume, Dega, and Wolisho, and its character is primarily influenced by natural anaerobic processing. Carefully sorted ripe cherries were first placed in stainless steel containers, where fermentation took place without oxygen for 4 days. The whole cherries were then spread out on elevated African drying beds, where they dried for approximately 15 to 18 days. This process combines the benefits of natural processing with controlled anaerobic fermentation. At the Krok roastery in Jičín, the beans were then roasted specifically for filter brewing.
- Farmer: Farmers of the Negele Gorbitu Cooperative