Cartel Roasters - ETHIOPIA – GERBOTA GR 1 – YIRGACHEFFE – NATURAL - Espresso roast

Established in April 2020, the Abebe Mulugeta producer group at Abebe Mulugeta Gerbota station is comprised of 300 smallholder producers in Gerbota, Yirgacheffe. Farmers cultivate coffee at the impressive heights of 2,100 to 2,150 meters above sea level. These high altitudes create the ideal microclimate for cultivating sweet, dense cherry. Their farms are small, about 1.5 hectares on average, which enables them to invest time and energy into high-quality cultivation. Most farms in Yirgacheffe are organic-by-default and most farm work is done by the family.

Farmers and their families selectively handpick ripe, red cherry and deliver it to Abebe Mulugeta Gerbota station. At intake, cherry is selectively hand sorted to ensure only ripe cherry is processed. Accepted cherry is laid on raised beds to dry. Workers rake cherry frequently to ensure even drying and visually hand sort drying cherry to remove any damaged or underripes. It takes approximately 12 to 17 days for cherry to dry.