Yirgacheffe Chelbesa Washed Grade 1

Nestled in the misty highlands of southern Ethiopia, where the celebrated coffee-growing regions of Yirgacheffe and Guji converge, Chelbesa Washing Station produces some of the country's most elegant and expressive coffees. Grown at elevations between 1,950 and 2,200 meters above sea level, these coffees thrive in rich volcanic soils beneath native shade trees in a semi-forest environment. Cool temperatures, abundant organic matter, and clean mountain spring water create ideal conditions for slow cherry maturation, allowing exceptional complexity and sweetness to develop.

This coffee was produced by smallholder farming families in the Chelbesa community, who carefully harvest only fully ripe cherries during the peak season from October through January. Every lot undergoes rigorous selection before being processed at the Chelbesa Washing Station, where meticulous attention to detail defines every stage of production.

Using the traditional Ethiopian fully washed method, cherries are pulped shortly after harvest and fermented in clean water tanks for 36 to 48 hours. The coffee is then thoroughly washed, density sorted, and soaked a second time to enhance clarity, sweetness, and balance. Finally, the parchment is dried on raised African beds for 10 to 14 days, with constant monitoring to ensure even drying and preserve quality.

The result is a classic Grade 1 Yirgacheffe green coffee: delicate yet vibrant, with fragrant floral notes, bright citrus-driven acidity, and a silky, tea-like body. Layers of stone fruit and honeyed florals unfold throughout the cup, leading to a clean, crisp finish that lingers pleasantly.

Yirgacheffe Chelbesa Washed Grade 1 is a shining example of Ethiopia’s coffee heritage - an elegant, high-altitude coffee that showcases the precision, craftsmanship, and extraordinary terroir that have made Yirgacheffe one of the world's most beloved coffee origins.

 Credits: Genuine Origin