Ethiopia Chelbesa – Habtamu Fikadu

Rose · Jasmine · Peach · Honey

This is Ethiopia at its most elegant: a clean, beautifully clear washed coffee from one of the most respected producers in the country.

In the cup

It opens with rose and jasmine florals, then moves into bright lemon-lime and juicy stone fruit, with ripe apricot and white peach. It finishes with a soft, honeyed sweetness that lingers long after the last sip. Delicate, sparkling, and very clean, this is one of the best washed Ethiopias we've tasted this year.

The producer

Habtamu Fikadu Aga runs Kuri Mountain Coffee, a family operation rooted in the farm his grandfather planted in Kuri Kebele. Today the company works with more than 140 smallholder farmers, who deliver ripe cherry to its washing stations. This lot comes from the Chelbesa station in Gedeb, in the heart of the Yirgacheffe coffee region.

Because Habtamu exports directly rather than selling through Ethiopia's national auction, every lot stays fully traceable. He also reinvests in the surrounding communities, funding schools, roads, and health care.

The process

The cherries are pulped and fermented underwater for 48 to 72 hours, depending on the temperature. After washing, the parchment soaks for another 12 hours, then dries slowly on raised beds for 10 to 12 days. That patient, consistent process is what gives this coffee its remarkable clarity.

Fair pricing

We bought this coffee from our import partner Crop to Cup, who publishes exactly what reaches origin. For this lot, that was $5.90/lb FOB, about $2.44/lb above the commodity "C" market price.

Details

• Producer: Habtamu Fikadu / Kuri Mountain Coffee
• Region: Chelbesa, Gedeb, Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia
• Altitude: 2,000+ meters
• Variety: 74110, 74112
• Process: Washed
• Grade: G1
• Crop Year: 2026
• Importer: Crop to Cup
• Roast: Light

Brew tip: This coffee shines as a pour-over. Start with a 1:16 ratio and let it cool a little; the apricot and honey really open up as the cup cools.