Banko Taratu - Smallholder Farmers - Washed Landrace - Ethiopia

Whole Bean
Roast: Light
Recommended Rest: 4-6 weeks from roast date
Tasting Notes: clementine, yellow peach, white tea, coffee blossom

Origin Details

Region: Gedeb District, Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia
Elevation: 1900-2300m
Producer: Smallholder Farmers, Banko Taratu
Process: Washed
Variety: Landrace

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

We're excited to welcome back Banko Taratu with the latest 2026 harvest of their washed Landrace. Each new Ethiopian harvest offers a fresh perspective, and this year's lot continues the clarity and complexity we've come to expect from the region.

The cup is unmistakably the classic washed landrace profile we love from Yirgacheffe, filled with layered florals, citrus, and stone fruit. It opens with the sweetness of clementine before settling into ripe yellow peach, with each note flowing naturally into the next.

As the coffee cools, the finish becomes especially elegant. Clean white tea and delicate coffee blossom florals emerge in the aftertaste, giving the cup a light, lingering finish that continues well after each sip.

We're looking forward to exploring this year's Ethiopian harvests over the coming months, and Banko Taratu is a fitting place to begin.