Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Chelchele Washed Heirloom Espresso

Classic washed coffee from Ethiopia. Delicate, tea-like, and fresh. If you love juicy, modern espressos, this coffee is made for you.

Taste & Use

Washed Ethiopians are an absolute classic that has won the hearts of many coffee lovers. Our Ethiopia Chelchele is very elegant and delicate, with flavors of black tea, chamomile, and bergamot. As an espresso, it is gentle, floral, clean, and juicy. If you enjoy modern espressos, this is exactly what you’re looking for! For such an espresso, we recommend a slightly longer yield to fully develop the acidity.

About the Region

This coffee comes from the Gedeb area in Yirgacheffe. Coffee grows here at higher altitudes, giving it its characteristic profile and bright acidity. The Yirgacheffe region is also heavily forested. Coffee trees grow under shade, which slows down the ripening of cherries and helps develop complex flavors. Ripe cherries are delivered by local smallholders to the Worka Chelichele Washing Station, which operates at an altitude of around 1,945–1,970 meters above sea level. Both cultivation and processing follow traditional methods: handpicking, intercropping with other crops, and organic farming without chemicals — all to preserve authenticity and quality.

About the Processing

The coffee was processed using the washed method. First, perfectly ripe cherries are selected and pulped. During pulping, some mucilage remains on the beans. The beans with mucilage are transferred to concrete fermentation tanks. During fermentation, the mucilage breaks down and is then removed by washing in concrete channels — hence the name "washed." After mucilage removal, the beans are spread on African drying beds where they dry for approximately 18 days. During drying, it is important to turn the beans regularly to ensure even drying.