Kokose Station, Basha Bekele (Ethiopia, Natural)

THE DETAILS
Country: Ethiopia 
Producer: Basha Bekele 
Farm: Multiple Smallholders, 
Varietal: 74158, 74110, 74112
Process: Natural
Notes: Apricot, pomegranate, red grapes
Mood: Joyous, complex, juicy
Genre: Magical Realism

One of the most memorable naturally processed coffees I’ve had was from Basha Bekele a few years back. He’s a producer that has captured my imagination for some time, and it is a real honor to be roasting his coffee for the first time at Preface. A 2024 Cup of Excellence winner, Bekele has cemented his reputation as one of Ethiopia’s top producers and processing specialists. 

This particular lot, composed of cherries from multiple smallholders from the Bensa district of Sidama, is emblematic of those flavors we have come to love from Ethiopian coffees. It’s fruity and juicy, clean and elegant, and leaves us wanting to brew another cup over and over again. It reminds me of my very first experience of an Ethiopian coffee that gently nudged me towards a career working in the coffee industry. 

In the cup we taste apricot, pomegranate, and red grapes with a delightful, lingering aftertaste.