Ethiopia Organic Yirgacheffe Chelchele G1 Washed 2025

Chelchele Washing Station

The Chelchele Washing Station, managed by Mebiratum Atseba in the Banko Chelchele district of Yirgacheffe, brings together the work of 368 smallholder farmers cultivating coffee on 406 hectares at altitudes of 1,800–2,200 masl.

Coffee here grows in fertile clay soils under the shade of native trees like Enset, Albizia, Acacia, and Militia. Farmers cultivate traditional Ethiopian varieties such as Kurmue, Dago, and Wolisho, contributing to the station’s reputation for producing clean, expressive coffees. With meticulous traceability systems in place and a strong focus on quality, Chelchele consistently delivers some of Yirgacheffe’s finest lots.

Organic Coffee

This lot is certified Organic, reflecting the farmers’ commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. Trees are grown without synthetic inputs, relying instead on natural shade, biodiversity, and careful land management. Farmers handpick only ripe cherries, ensuring both high quality and the preservation of the local ecosystem. In Chelchele, coffee farming is more than a livelihood—it’s a generational tradition rooted in harmony with the land.

Washed Processing

The Chelchele station uses a traditional washed process that highlights the clarity and vibrancy of Yirgacheffe coffees. Ripe cherries are hand-sorted and pulped using a disc pulper, then fermented for 36–48 hours to loosen the mucilage.

After fermentation, beans are soaked for an additional 6–8 hours before being washed in fresh water. Finally, parchment is dried on raised beds for 6–7 days until moisture content reaches 10–12%. This Grade 1 lot exemplifies the precision and care behind Ethiopian washed coffees.

Yirgacheffe Region

Yirgacheffe, in Ethiopia’s Gedeo Zone, is one of the world’s most celebrated coffee regions. Its high altitudes, fertile soils, and unique microclimates give rise to some of the most distinctive flavor profiles in specialty coffee.

Coffees from Yirgacheffe are renowned for their bright citrus notes, tea-like body, and floral aromatics. Within this region, Banko Chelchele stands out for producing coffees that marry complexity with balance, offering both sparkling acidity and deep sweetness.

Ethiopian Coffee History

Ethiopia is widely regarded as the birthplace of coffee, with centuries of tradition woven into its cultivation, processing, and consumption. From wild coffee forests to smallholder farms, coffee has always played a central role in Ethiopia’s culture and economy. The Yirgacheffe region, in particular, rose to prominence in the 20th century as global demand grew for its distinctive washed coffees.

Today, Ethiopian coffee remains a benchmark for quality and diversity, with each micro-region contributing unique expressions of terroir. Coffees like this Organic Chelchele G1 Washed continue that legacy, offering a taste of Ethiopia’s unparalleled coffee heritage.