Yirgacheffe

Lush, high-elevation clarity from the heart of Gedeb.

This washed lot from Banko Chelchele, just outside the town of Gedeb, offers a refined take on southern Ethiopia’s iconic coffee character. Sourced from 396 smallholder farmers and processed at the Worka Chelchele washing station, this coffee is high-grown, meticulously washed, and bursting with clarity. Expect sparkling fruit, floral aromatics, and a structured sweetness that reflects both place and process with unmistakable brilliance.

Flavor Profile
Black Tea, Blackberry, Floral

Origin Information
Country: Ethiopia
Region: Banko Chelchele Kebele, Gedeb Woreda, Gedeo Zone
Altitude: 1,900–2,100 masl
Producers: 396 smallholder farmers
Washing Station: Worka Chelchele
Variety: Indigenous landraces & local cultivars
Process: Fully washed
Ownership: Tadesse Desta Import & Export
Traceability: Single washing station / multi-farmer lot

BACKGROUND DETAILS

The Gedeb region sits at the southern edge of Yirgacheffe and borders the Guji Zone, making it one of Ethiopia’s most distinct and high-elevation growing areas. Though often categorized under the Yirgacheffe umbrella, coffees from Banko Chelchele—part of the greater “Worka” area—have a profile all their own. The elevation here is among the highest in Ethiopia, and the flavor intensity reflects it.

The Worka Chelchele washing station, established in 2021 and equipped with 12 fermentation tanks and over 250 drying beds, is one of the most modern and quality-focused operations in the area. Coffees here undergo a meticulous process: cherries are depulped, fermented for 48 hours, washed clean, soaked again in fresh water, and then dried over 18 days on raised beds. A dedicated on-site warehouse ensures proper conditioning before parchment is transported to Addis Ababa for final milling.

Owned and operated by Tadesse Desta Import & Export, the entire supply chain—from cherry selection to export—is tightly managed to preserve quality and transparency. With organic and RFA certifications underway, and plans to expand into honey and anaerobic processes, Worka Chelchele is becoming a central source for Ethiopia’s next generation of clean, expressive coffees.

Slow Down. Drink Up. Let the elevation speak for itself.