Arrived mid May 2010, new crop. Amaro Gayo Organic, a wonderful natural coffee, is exported by Asnakech Thomas, Ethiopia's only female miller and exporter, and reputed to be an exceptional, energetic and inspiring woman. Native to the Amaro region, Asnakech decided in 2005 to return to her homeland to improve coffee quality at her mill and in local communities. She is one of the few people to travel weekly between Addis and the coffee areas. The Amaro Mountains are a small range separating the communities of Amaro on the eastern slopes from Nechisar National Park and the lowland tribal areas of Arba Minch in southwest Ethiopia, Sidamo region. The local coffee varieties, relatively light population, waterfalls and highland bamboo forests are among the many unique features of the area. Amaro Gayo is a washing station where local growers bring their freshly picked, ripe cherry for processing. Asnakech is said to be very strict in selecting which coffees will be processed at her washing station and mill, choosing only ripe and ready cherry. The final step in natural processing, drying, is critically important one. At Amaro drying is carried out on raised African beds, keeping the coffee clean and free of soil, while aerating it from top and bottom. All Amaro Gayo coffee is certified organic. Prices paid for this coffee are at the extreme high end of market, social programs are in the works including possibilities for assistance with capacity building and coffee job creation, schools, clean water and medical care.  Asnakech is a client of Fintrac’s USAID-funded Agribusiness and Trade Expansion Activity (ATEA), which improves specialty coffee production and quality in Ethiopia. In 2007 Fintrac helped Asnakech install a coffee processing machine and showed her how to run the eco-friendly pulper. The project also deployed agronomists and consultants to her mill to advise her on how to create specialty coffee at every step of coffee processing -- from looking after trees, to picking, to drying cherries. Fintrac gave Asnakech and producers like her an opportunity to reach new markets and showcase their specialty coffee. She is a perfectionist and go-getter so, in addition to this fine coffee, look for more and better coffee coming from her in the near future.
Her coffee was one of the last to make it out of Ethiopia prior to the start of the ECX enforced rules, which seem to be a disincentive toward the quest for superior coffee and processing. This because the ECX will grade coffee by region and type, disallowing private importer and exporter relationships which fostered unique and wonderful coffees like this one. To your good fortune, we have a supply to last a while.  | Women sort coffee beans at a processing facility in Ethiopia. |
Growing Altitude: 5200 feet
Processing Method: Natural
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica Fans of Bagersh' Idido Misty Valley should try some of this coffee. IMV will not be available this year. Cup Characteristics: Lush, blackberry and blueberry fruit flavors, powerful. Agressive and complex acidity, with notes of both dry, red wine and lemons. Layers of puckery, citrus fruits, mostly grapefruit. Thick body, chocolate mouthfeel. Roasting Notes: Keep the roast approaching second crack but definitely not beyond if you want to capture all that this coffee has to offer. City to City+.
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| Pounds | Price LB |
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| 1 | $7.60 | | 2-4 | $7.22 | | 5-19 | $6.84 | | 20+ | $6.69 |
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