ETHIOPIA ARICHA - FILTER
Region: Yirgacheffe
Variety: Mixed Heirloom
Process: Washed
Altitude: 1945m
Notes: Peach, bergamot, black tea.
Farming methods in the region remain largely traditional. Yirgacheffe farmers typically intercrop their coffee plants with other food crops. This method is common among smallholders because it maximizes land use and provides food for their families. In addition to remaining traditionally intercropped, most farms are also organic-by-default. Farmers in Yirgacheffe typically use very few - if any - fertilizers or pesticides. Most farm work is done manually by the immediate family. To capitalize on the magnificent climate, that station provides training to help farmers produce better quality cherry. Training focuses on procedures for harvesting and transporting cherry.
Farmers selectively handpick cherry and deliver it to the washing station. At intake, employees hand sort incoming cherry to remove any underripe or damaged cherry. Cherry is then pulped and fermented for 36 to 48 hours in the station’s 12 standardised fermenting tanks. After fermentation, parchment is washed in clean water and transferred to some of the station’s 280 raised drying beds. Parchment is raked frequently to ensure even drying. It takes approximately 18 days for parchment to dry. The station marks all drying beds with a code that makes it simple to keep track of traceability and processing status.