COUNTRY: Ethiopia

REGION: Shantawane, Bombe Kebele, Bensa Woreda, Sidama Zone

FARM: Ayla Washing Station

FARMER/GROWER: 725 smallholder farmers

VARIETIES: 74110, 74158

PROCESSING: Washed

ALTITUDE: 1950 to 2150 m.a.s.l.

We Taste: Sauvignon Blanc, White Tea, Honeycomb

Description: The Ayla washing station is just south of Shantawane village with a river wrapping itself around the open grass where the drying beds are built. The river keeps temperatures cooler and brings more airflow across the drying beds. 725 growers deliver their coffee to the Ayla washing station. The washed processed coffees are depulped within 8 hours after picking and the mucilage-covered parchment is submerged in water for a 36 to 48 hour fermentation, depending on the conditions. After most of the mucilage is consumed, the coffee is fully washed in canals with running water until the water is completely transparent and all of the mucilage is completely removed from the parchment.

After fermenting and washing, this premium coffee is laid out on raised beds under a shade net for 5 to 7 days until the moisture content is between 11 and 12%. The coffee is then moved inside a nearby warehouse for final homogenization and resting until it is ready to be transported to the dry mill.

The Ayla washing station is owned by Testi Trading and operated by the Yonis family and their team. Testi Trading makes significant investments in the communities that they operate in through their Project Direct initiatives. So far they have completed construction of multiple primary schools and even the first ever high school in the town of Hamasho, a small town in Sidama.