Tasting Notes:
Grape Jelly
Jasmine Tea
Citrus Zest
Region
Agaro, Jimma
Washing Station
Duromina
Processing:
Washed
Variety:
Indigenous heirloom
Altitude:
1900-2200m
Description:
Coffees from Agaro, and from the Kata Muduga Co-Op, have become a staple on our rotation because they are so consistently delicious. Washing stations like Nano Challah and Nano Genji have achieved somewhat legendary status amongst our staff and customers, and for good reason. This is our first time buying from Duromina, another Agaro washing station owned by Kata Muduga, and we’re incredibly pleased with the results. This lot presents a complex and layered profile with aromas of jasmine tea, lime zest, and oolong, with the crystal-clear acidity of grape. The Duromina washing station is the result of USAID’s transformative TechnoServe project. Previously, coffee in the region was pooled together as a nameless “Jimma 5” blend. Buyers in the region did not prioritize quality, so the coffee was typically low grade. The TechnoServe project, started in 2009, sought to increase cup quality (and therefore prices) by creating more washing stations in the area and providing business and quality control training –Duromina was one of those washing stations. The quality of coffee coming out of the region basically turned 180 degrees in just one harvest. Nano Challa, Yukro, Biftu Gudina… all of these stations are staples in the coffee industry today and they all came as a result of this project. Going up the value chain from the washing stations, various farmer’s cooperatives supply cherries to Duromina. At the beginning, cooperatives functioned independently each selling their member’s cherries to various stations. That’s when Asnake Nigat and Ephrem Kebede founded the Kata Muduga Cooperatives Union. The objective was to cut down bureaucratic barriers and facilitate the export of coffees from the region by making the cooperatives work cooperatively. The other objective was to increase the prices being paid to the cooperatives, who then distribute the dividends among the members. Kata Muduga is unique among other unions in that they only earn a 10% commission from the sale of green coffee, with the rest going directly to the co-ops. The result is more coffee being sold for export, and a greater share of the price ending up in the hands of growers. No wonder Kata Muduga’s membership has grown rapidly in its 5 years of operation, to the point that they recently have had to build new washing stations. If you want a good read to go with your coffee, look up the interview with Asnake from Kata Muduga on Red Fox Coffee Merchant’s website. We’re over the moon to be able to roast this coffee, and we hope you enjoy!