TEXAS

THREE KEYS COFFEE

Review

Purple fruits and a hint of cocoa powder swirl in dense burnt caramel sweetness and orange acidity in this coffee from Ethiopia. The acidity is very mild and there’s a touch of roastiness that might lend itself to espresso more than filter but it could work with added milk if you’re a pour-over devotee.

COFFEE NAME Ethiopia Ethereal

ORIGIN Ethiopia

PRODUCER Odola TebeArowacho/smallholder farmers

VARIETY Heirloom

PROCESS Washed

Altitude (masl) 2095-2122 

Roaster notes: Found deep within the green hills of Ethiopia, is the Uraga district. Its high elevation is home to the Odola TebeArowacho washing station, owned by Zelalem Alemu (established in 2016). Though tucked away inside dense forests and mountains, this land offers the perfect conditions for slower ripening times (resulting in flavorful and bright coffees). An interesting charm about the smallhold producers of Uraga (as well as in Ethiopia itself), is that most of them grow cherries right in their own backyards (and collect those naturally occurring in the surrounding areas). These “garden farmers” are part of generations, and their wealth of knowledge (and willingness to continue learning) is evident in their coffee.

Mary Halbrooks