Banko Taratu Smallholder Farmers - Washed Landrace - Ethiopia

Whole Bean
Roast: Light
Recommended Rest: 4-6 weeks from roast date
Tasting Notes: orange, mango, pluot, black tea

Origin Details

Region: Gedeo Zone, Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia
Elevation: 1900-2300masl
Producer: Smallholder Farmers, Banko Taratu Site
Process: Washed
Variety: 74110, 74112

ABOUT THIS COFFEE AND PRODUCER

The people of Banko Taratu live in close-knit communities where coffee farming is a primary source of income. They have a profound respect for the land and employ traditional farming methods passed down through generations. Harvesting coffee is a communal effort, with families and neighbors coming together to pick the ripe cherries by hand. This meticulous process ensures that only the finest quality beans are selected. Coffee plays a central role in the social fabric of Banko Taratu. It's not just a cash crop but also a means of connection and celebration. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air during gatherings, where stories are shared, and bonds are strengthened.

For this lot from Banko Taratu, cherries are first pulped to remove the outer skin. The beans, still coated in mucilage, are then placed in fermentation tanks. This initial fermentation typically lasts 48 to 72 hours, breaking down the mucilage and influencing flavor. The washed beans undergo a second fermentation for another 12 to 24 hr. Post-fermentation, beans are dried 12-15 days on raised beds. 

WHY WE SELECTED THIS COFFEE

This is our first time sourcing from Banko Taratu Site, and it’s a great reminder of why we keep coming back to Ethiopia. Exploring these regions and the collections from smallholder farmers always reveals something distinct, each lot carrying its own character.

This washed landrace stood out for how it blurs expectations. It has the clarity you’d expect from a washed coffee, but with layered, expressive tropical flavors that often show up in natural lots.

Juicy orange comes through first, bright but soft, paired with a beautifully ripe mango sweetness. As the cup settles, it moves into deeper stone fruit tones, something like pluot, giving it a more balanced, rounded feel.

In the finish, a gentle black tea structure brings light tannins that ties everything together.

A unique expression of Ethiopian landraces, showing both clarity and depth in a way that feels a little unexpected.