Ethiopia - Beloya

The Kochere district is one of the woredas (districts) in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Gedeo Zone, Kochere is bordered on the east by Gedeb, on the southwest by the Oromia Region, and on the north by Yirgachefe, all well-known coffee-producing regions. Kochere is a diverse woreda which is made up primarily by three ethnic groups, the Gedeo, the Oromo, and the Amhara, in order of population. The coffees produced in this area are consistently some of the most beautiful coffees grown in the world thanks to the unique combination of the local environment, coffee genetics, and processing methods.

Numerous variables come together to develop the unique flavors present in this coffee. First, the coffee is grown at noticeably high altitude, around 1,700 meters above sea level. Temperatures stay cool, with average highs around 70 °F and lows around 60 °F. Additionally, the varieties, Kumie, Diga, and Wilsho make up this coffee, which are all local varieties to this area of Ethiopia. This may account for what makes this coffee stand out, as these are not common to any other areas of the world. Lastly, this coffee is processed carefully using typical dry processing methods.

The coffee arrives to the Kocherie Beloya (or Biloya) washing station where is first sorted by hand to select the densest cherries. It is then de-pulped and fermented for 36-72 hours in fermentation tanks. The coffee is then washed and dried for up to 21 days. After drying, the coffee is milled and ready to be shipped off.