The Ayla washing station is just south of Shantawane village and receives coffee from 725 organic coffee growers.
Ayla is built on open grass that has a river bending around it. The surrounding water keeps temperatures cooler and brings more airflow across the drying beds.
The washed processed coffees are depulped within 8 hours after picking and the mucilage-covered parchment is submerged in water for a 36 to 48 hour fermentation, depending on the conditions. After most of the mucilage is consumed, the coffee is fully washed in canals with running water until the water is completely transparent and all of the mucilage is completely removed from the parchment.
After fermenting and washing, this premium coffee is laid out on raised beds under a shade net for 5 to 7 days until the moisture content is between 11 and 12%. The coffee is then moved inside a nearby warehouse for final homogenization and resting until it is ready to be transported to the dry mill.
The Ayla washing station is owned by Testi Trading and operated by the Yonis family and their team. Testi Trading makes significant investments in the communities that they operate in through their Project Direct initiatives. So far they have completed construction of multiple primary schools and even the first ever high school in the town of Hamasho, a small town in Sidama.
Washed Processed Coffee In Ethiopia
The process of producing washed coffees in Ethiopia will vary slightly from washing station to washing station, but generally speaking the coffee is picked ripe and depulped the same day. There is usually a fermentation period of 8–12 hours in open-air tanks, then washed in water channels to remove the mucilage. The coffee seeds will be spread on raised beds to dry for 5–15 days, depending on the weather.
Ethiopia Coffee Quality Grading
Ethiopia coffee quality grading is based on the combined result of physical qualities and cup qualities, including altitude, imperfections, and flavor. Grades range from 1 (high) to 9 (low), with grades 1 and 2 considered specialty. Guji distinguishes itself from Yirgacheffe or Sidama profiles with complex yet balanced cups that work beautifully as espresso or filter brews. The exceptional cup profile of this Grade 1 Guji natural is the result of strong growing, harvesting, sorting and processing practices.
Ethiopian Coffee
Ethiopia, the homeland of Arabica coffee, might only produce 3-4% of the world’s coffee supply, but the variety of character that comes from this origin is astounding. Thousands of different landrace varieties still grow wild in Ethiopia’s mountainous forests.
Ethiopian coffee beans are celebrated for their bright fruit and floral flavors, expressed with exceptional acidity and sweetness. Out of the many coffee-growing districts in the country, a few stand out from the crowd with their highly distinctive cup profiles, like Yirgacheffe, Sidama, and Guji.
Country: Ethiopia
Region: Shantawane, Bombe Kebele, Bensa Woreda, Sidama Zone
Farm: Ayla Washing Station
Elevation: 1950-2150 MASL
Variety: 74110, 74158
Processing: washed
Tasting notes: Bright, clean, floral, and sweet with flavors of grapefruit, apricot, pineapple, and white wine.