Ethiopia | Chelchele [organic]

These beans from Ethiopia are perfect as filter coffee, but also suitable for a fruity espresso!
You will find flavors of white paraguayo, lemon balm, and bergamotte.

100 % organic
100 % Arabica
whole beans.

This coffee is a product of the highest quality, cultivated and roasted in respectful interaction between man and nature - that's what NANO KAFFEE stands for.

Stats

ORIGIN: Ethiopia
REGION: Yirgacheffe
ALTITUDE: 2,000 masl
FARM/GROWER: Chelchele, Metad
IMPORTER: Belco

VARIETY: Heirloom
FOB: 9.38 USD/kg
PROCESSING: washed
FLAVOUR: white paraguayo, lemon balm, bergamot

Quick info

High in Ethiopia’s renowned Yirgacheffe region, this organic coffee flourishes at 2,000 meters, nurtured by multi-generational farmers on small family plots. Supported and enabled by METAD, over 2,000 local farmers bring their harvest to life, creating a coffee with fresh notes of white flat peach, lemon balm, and bergamot. Each cup honors Ethiopia’s rich coffee heritage, blending vivid flavour with deep-rooted respect for original practice and community.

The farmers

Coffee farmers in Yirgacheffe are typically multi-generational farmers on small family plots, sometimes farming only a few hectares. Most farming methods in the region remain largely traditional, with most work done manually by the immediate family. Hand-picking is the preferred method, which is typical in regions with challenging terrain, such as steep slopes and wild farms, where machinery cannot easily be used. However, this method also guarantees a better selection.

The coffee is grown at high altitudes, around 2,000 meters above sea level, and the farmers typically intercrop their coffee plants with food crops. This practice is common among smallholders as it maximizes land use and provides sustenance for their families.

METAD, a local company, partners with over 2,000 smallholder farmers who deliver their entire or partial harvest to the Chelchele washing station. This station, established in 2013 in the heart of the renowned Yirgacheffe region, is committed to supporting Ethiopian farm owners while fostering the growth of the specialty coffee industry in Ethiopia.

Nature

Yirgacheffe is a small region in Ethiopia, widely considered the birthplace of coffee. It is home to 45 distinct ethnic groups and literally translates to "Land of Many Springs." The region's unique terroir, with ideal topography, elevation, and abundant water sources, creates perfect conditions for producing and processing exceptional coffees. Though volumes are low, the quality is consistently high.

13 months of sunshine? The Ethiopian calendar differs significantly from the Gregorian calendar, with an additional month, resulting in a 13-month year.

The coffee trees in the region are a naturally occurring mix of heirloom varieties, grown among other species in coffee gardens and forests. Yirgacheffe coffee cherries ripen at altitudes between 2,000 and 2,200 meters. The cool highland climate and nutrient-rich soil contribute to the development of the coffee's complex aromas, producing fruity and spicy flavor notes.

The Impact

METAD was founded by a family with deep roots in coffee production. The founder, Aman Adinew, comes from a lineage of coffee producers and traders dating back to his grandparents.

Recognizing the challenges in the Ethiopian coffee sector, METAD focuses on promoting exceptional coffees while ensuring traceability, giving greater recognition to products from the region. METAD partners with over 2,000 local smallholder farmers who contribute their full or partial harvest. Aware of the area's natural heritage, METAD promotes farming practices that respect the environment.

METAD also supports various social and environmental initiatives. They organize regular training sessions and offer advance payments to coffee farmers, providing them with greater financial stability. The company has distributed over 600,000 coffee seedlings to the farmers it works with and has helped build roads and new primary schools, covering the expenses for 800 students (including equipment and teachers' salaries). METAD also provides scholarships to 105 disadvantaged students in the Gedeb region and runs projects aimed at supporting farmers' wives, particularly in disease prevention and health screenings.

Coffee accounts for 25-35% of Ethiopia's total annual export revenue. Therefore, every responsible decision can have an impact at site.

The taste

There are now over 1,000 distinct heirloom varieties, but due to the wild cultivation methods, it is rare for a coffee to be attributed to a specific variety. Therefore, heirloom coffees are often grouped under the general term "Heirloom" and are known for their natural and bold character. Flavor differences are typically defined by the region of origin, with heirloom coffees varying from floral to berry-like depending on the area.

This coffee offers a finely traced, high-quality, washed coffee with an intricate cup profile.

It is precisely this complexity of unique aromas that has led to the growing demand for this exceptional coffee. Even in Germany, Yirgacheffe has become increasingly popular, turning into a true trend coffee.

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This coffee is a product of the highest quality, cultivated and roasted in respectful interaction between man and nature - that is what NANO KAFFEE stands for.

For organic certification: DE-ÖKO-070