bera EthiopIA
meditating while spinning in circles
This year, we will explore three different regions of Ethiopia; Agaro, Sidama, and Yirgacheffe. It becomes clear that the diversity of potential flavors in coffee and Ethiopian culture mirror each others unique complexity. Regional distinction is upheld by replanting seedlings from the same plants that continue to flourish in a given region, helping to define the taste of an area. This native selection of localized replanting makes each region distinctly different than neighboring areas. With 1000’s of varietal differences that have wildly grown throughout Ethiopia, the potential for distinction lies in the ability to separate and process specific micro-regions.
As the largest producer and exporter of coffee in Ethiopia, Kerchanshe Trading has a proud history of providing quality coffees to the local and international markets. Founded on the principles of bringing fairness and transparency to the coffee value chain while satisfying customer demand, Kerchanshe is also a company with heart and vision. Kerchanshe specializes in coffees sourced from Yirgacheffe, Lekempti, Gimbi, Djimma, and Sidama, names that epitomise fine Arabica coffee. Since its inception 15 years ago, Kerchanshe has established a track record of fair trading and excellent customer service, and now employs over 1,250 permanent staff and 10,000 seasonal staff. Directly and indirectly, it impacts the livelihoods of over 1 million coffee growers throughout the southern and south-western coffee-cultivating regions of Ethiopia. The passion for fine coffee is coupled with consistent reinvestment not only in improved infrastructure, technology and processes, but Kerchanshe also invests 10% of its annual profits into social responsibility programs such as building schools and providing clean water to the communities it serves. The diversified types of Arabica cultivation in the country and its highly suitable environment with high altitudes, good rainfall, and rich volcanic soils yields to the uniquely Ethiopian flavours and aromas that are present in its elegant range of delights.
Aleta Wendo, which is part of the newly founded Sidama Region, is located in South Central Plateau around 215 miles from Addis Ababa. The village of Bera and surrounding areas are located at an astonishing elevation range of 1700-2500 masl and experience a bimodal rainfall pattern. There’s a short rainy season that lasts from mid-November to February, whereas the long rainy season is during summer and it extends into October. These farmers are producing a “garden style" coffee, which is coffee grown under canopies of large legume shade trees. The coffee plant grown together with enset (false banana the staple food of the community) and other fruit trees, form a complex agro-forestry ecosystem that regulates and maintains a healthy nutrient cycle that supplies the land what it needs to flourish. The coffee plant begins to flower from February to April, while harvest starts in September and can run all the way to Mid-December. Bulesa processes about 400 farming members that has exclusive delivery of their ripe cherry on an annual bases. Thanks to Kerchanshe Trading, the Bulesa coffee processing site was established in 2021along the Boicha River in the Bera village of Aleta Wondo Woreda.
The lot from Bera moves with grace as it unfolds the layers held within. Honeysuckle and fresh cane sugar juice highlight the edges of flavor to carry the focused muscat grape to the forefront. Balanced by red currant and pineapple that provide the right amount of tartness, you’ll drift along in the texture of white grape juice through the whispering florals. From here, our direction adds a touch of creme towards a clean finish with an aftertaste of a cacao nib dusted blackberry.
Photos by Red Fox
bera Ethiopia
Origin - Ethiopia
Zone - Sidama
Region - Sidama
Woreda - Aleta Wendo
Kebele - Bera
Union - Kerchanshe
Washing Station - Bulesa
Altitude - 1700-2500 masl
Variety - Native Selection
Experience - Meditating while spinning in circles.