Mengeche Derso

This coffee was grown by Mr. Mengeche Derso and processed at the Halo Beriti Washing Station in Gedeb, Gedeo, Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia. This lot is a field blend of Landrace cultivars. Mr Mengeche Derso grows coffee between 2200-2300 MASL.

Although specific processing details weren't available to us for this coffee. It is processed as a "Natural" or "Dry" Process coffee. Natural coffees are typically delivered the day they are harvested, and are first sorted for ripeness and quality before being rinsed clean of dirt. Then they are spread on raised drying beds or tables, where they will be rotated constantly throughout the course of drying. Drying can take an average of 8-25 days, depending on the weather.

For the second year in a row, this proves to be one of our favourite natural processed coffees. We get a vibrant and expressive Blueberry note again this year, lifted with a floral but punchy Lime Zest, there's a tea like quality as well, but I think its red and tropical like Hibiscus tea, especially as it cools. This is a wonderful natural process coffee, one that is memorable and lovely to drink.

This is actually our first ever repeat purchase! We bought this coffee as one of our debut offerings in 2025, and it left a really big impression on us. We are thrilled to bring Mr. Megeche's coffee to our menu again this season, amongst all the other Single Farmer Lots from our friends at Cafe Imports Australia.

Here is some more info about Mr. Mengeche Derso provided to us via Cafe Imports team:

 "Mr. Mengeche Derso owns and operates 15 hectares of land in the highlands of Gedeo Zone, located in the Southern Region of Ethiopia. This region, and Gedeo Zone in particular, is renowned for its production of high-quality Yirgachefe coffee. At 62 years old, Mr. Mengeche brings 62 years of farming experience to the area. His dedication to producing top-quality coffee has earned him recognition from government organizations.

Mr. Mengeche has 12 children. Along with four of his children, he actively works on the coffee farm. They use natural fertilizers such as animal manure and plant remnants to enrich the soil. His farm, situated at 2300 MASL, is one of the many in the area known for producing premium coffee."

Cafe Imports has been working hard to deliver Single Farmer traceable lots from Ethiopia for the last 14 years! This is something that we love to see & support, as it provides opportunities to access very small microlots from our favorite coffee growing country, as well as put the spotlight to the farmers who produce this awesome coffee.

Here is a short blurb about the Single Farmer Project, direct from Cafe Imports website:

“The Single Farmer Project is the result of an effort to support Ethiopian producers with a marketplace for farm-traceable coffees. Back in 2012, during a turbulent time in Ethiopia's coffee exporting history, Partner and CEO Jason Long worked with an established cooperative to export some of the first ever truly “Farm Traceable” lots from Ethiopia. This was the first time a roaster could highlight the individual farmer for their Ethiopian Coffee. It was the start of an incredible project and truly began the movement for traceability in Ethiopia as we see more often today. This project also gave us some very fun stories like literally bringing a backpack full of Ethiopian Birr to Yirgacheffe with COO Noah Namowicz to pay the premiums directly to these farmers who participated. 

This project is made possible in conjunction with important export partners supporting and bringing to market individual farmer lots. Samples are sent out to potential buyers, price is negotiated on the farmers' behalf, and contracts are only accepted when the producer agrees on a sales price and their name is on the contract for each coffee they sell. 

“Our goals with this project would be to help garner and develop long-term relationships between the producers we are already working with and coffee roasting companies that share in the values of transparency, traceability, and relationship that this program represents," says Claudia, green-coffee buyer for Cafe Imports.”

Import Partner: Cafe Imports Australia
All our coffees are sold as whole beans.