ALTITUDE - 2100 MASL // REGION - GEDEB YIRGACHEFFE // PROCESS - SLOW DRY FERMENTATION // VARIETY - HEIRLOOM

Ethiopia Gedeb Slow Dry 100% Arabica Speciality Grade Coffee

Origin & Harvest Seasons in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s coffee production is shaped by three key seasonal phases

• Bega (October–January): The long dry season, vital for coffee harvesting and post-harvest processing.

• Belg (February–May): The first rainy season, triggering coffee flowering and early cherry development.

• Krempt (June–September): Heavy eastern rains promote the final ripening of coffee cherries.

As rains stop abruptly in late September, cherries ripen fully, marking the start of the main coffee harvest season in November.

About Ephtah Speciality Coffee

Ephtah Speciality Coffee is a sustainable, Ethiopia-based exporter focused on building transparent, ethical supply chains that benefit:

• Farmers

• Local communities

• International roasters

The company actively supports women in coffee, recognising their essential role in both farming and leadership. Every shipment is managed with precision, ensuring premium green coffee beans that meet the highest quality standards.

Lalesa Washing Station – Gedeb, Ethiopia

Located in Gedeb, a region of over 300,000 people, the Lalesa Washing Station is a central hub for processing Ephtah’s coffee. The station is situated near the Siqe River, bordering Gedeo, Guji, and Oromia.

• Local language: Gedeo (Gedeoiniya)

• Staple food: Enset (false banana)

• Key cultural event: New Year Festival – 18 January

Coffee Processing – Slow Dry Method

At Lalesa, only the ripest red cherries are purchased directly from surrounding farmers. Processing includes:

1. Floatation: Cherries are floated to remove defects and underdeveloped beans (quakers).

2. Slow Drying: Beans are sun-dried on raised African beds under a special greenhouse roof for 20–25 days, allowing gradual moisture loss.

3. Hand Sorting: Once dried, green beans are hand-sorted by local women to remove defects and ensure consistent quality.

This slow dry processing method enhances cup complexity and sweetness.

Export Journey – From Ethiopia to the World

Once dried and sorted, the coffee is stored at Moplaco in Gerji, Addis Ababa, before being transported by rail to Djibouti for international export. This streamlined supply chain ensures freshness and traceability from farm to port.

Social & Environmental Responsibility

Ephtah invests in the community and environment through several initiatives:

• Initial and second payments to farmers, plus quality-based premiums

• Support for school fees and family essentials

• Ama Commitment Programme: Long-term support for farming communities

Planned Improvements:

• Construction of a new water tank for floatation

• Expansion of drying beds

• Cultivation of supporting crops to enhance local food security