Ethiopia – Chelbesa

Grown in the highland district of Gedeb, on the southern edge of Yirgacheffe, this washed lot comes from the Chelbesa washing station. Here, over a thousand smallholder farmers deliver handpicked cherries from heirloom varieties to the SNAP Coffee station—an Ethiopian partner known for its commitment to quality, traceability, and social impact. These micro-lots, located above 2,000 meters, contribute to a remarkable complexity rooted in altitude and biodiversity.

After harvesting, the cherries are pulped, fermented in water for 36 to 72 hours depending on climate, then washed and carefully dried on raised African beds for 7 to 10 days. This washed process follows traditional Ethiopian practices—manual sorting of cherries before and after depulping, wet fermentation in clean tanks without additives, and daily turning of the parchment during drying to ensure uniformity. SNAP Coffee enhances this routine with close support to farmers and meticulous station management, ensuring high cup clarity and consistency year after year.

In the cup, Chelbesa reveals a crisp, vibrant sweetness of apricot with a silky texture and bright citrus notes of lemon zest and bergamot. A floral lift and subtle earl grey tea-like finish round out a clean, refined profile.