At some of Ethiopia’s most extreme altitudes lies Guji’s Uraga region, a dense, mountainous forest that spans almost a thousand miles. Within this immense forest lies an array of distinct subregions, where we source some of the most extraordinary and sought-after coffees we see anywhere in the world. Uraga coffees are profoundly nuanced with a piquant floral and a bright, complex acidity like lime and bergamot backed by stone fruit sweetness like a ripe peach. When we taste Guji coffees, we look for that taste that we describe as almost scallion-like when fresh, which ripens into that unparalleled floral on arrival.
This year, we’re even more excited about Uraga due to a new sourcing partnership with an old friend: Dagne Chomen of Welichu Wachu. Years ago, Dagne ran QC for the Oromia Cooperative Union. We connected way back then and spent much time selecting coffee together. Cupping with Dagne continues to be a euphoric experience. He loves not only cupping but understands the likes and dislikes of the people he is cupping with. He has a knack for knowing exactly what we are looking for.
Like many other critical supply chain partners we met through Oromia Union, Dagne moved on, worked for private exporters for a few years, then opened his central washing station Welichu Wachu collecting coffee from all over Uraga’s vast forests.
