Ethiopia Shantawene

Producer: Testi Ayla Washing Station, Shantawene Village

Country, Region: Ethiopia, Sidama, Bensa

Variety: Kurume

Elevation: 1900-2150 masl

Process: Natural, dried on raised beds 15-18 days

Coptic Light February 2021 release

What’s not to love here? Among Ethiopian Naturals, this one is a consistent stunner. I keep coming back to this Shantawene as it offers everything a natural should: fruity notes, deep sweetness and full-bodied. While some naturals veer toward the wild or murky, this one is clean and well-balanced, juicy and supple. Flavor notes of cocoa, blueberries and candied ginger are enhanced by the soft acidity (like cooked peaches) and undertones of cranberry and praline. My favorite brew for this one was on Origami at a ratio of 0.06 which brought out a juicy mouthfeel with a clean finish.

Notes: Ginger is a flavor note that is rare among coffees but is associated with Ethiopian coffees in particular. Expand your palate and try this one as a great example.

Roaster’s notes: Testi Coffee is owned by the Yonis family who started off as coffee producers themselves in the 1970s and now independently run various washing stations in Guji, Yirgacheffe, Limu, and of course Sidama - where the Shantawene community is located near the Harenna Forest preserve at the base of the Bombe mountains.

Testi’s washing stations are renowned for producing exceptional quality beans with diligent attention paid to sorting and screening coffee cherries.  As of 2018, Testi launched the Premium Cherry Selection project at every one of their washing stations, which fully controls all aspects of harvest and processing in order to maintain coffee quality at every step.  They also focus on building long term relationships with their producers not only by securing them high prices for their coffees but also by creating social programs which provide for basic needs such as education, health, and suitable drinking water in order to build stronger communities.