Lightning 009 Coffee Ethiopia
Origin: Ethiopia
Region: Tega village, Bonga, Kibo, Kaffa
FarmTega (Tega and Tula Coffee Farm)
Variety 75227, 744
Altitude1830–1890 masl
Proc. Method: Washed
Harvest Schedule: September–Janu
In 2007, Cafe Imports head of sourcing and CEO, Jason Long, cupped a coffee from a western region of Ethiopia not very well-known then for high-quality coffee, and it inspired him to venture outside of sourcing in Yirgacheffe, Sidama, and Harrar for the first time. The coffee turned out to be from a single farm, Tega & Tula Specialty Coffee Farm, established in the year 2000 by Ahadu Woubhset. Tega & Tula are actually two adjacent farms, named after the two nearby villages of Tega and Tula, found in the woreda, or district, of Gibo, in Kaffa, Ethiopia. The total farm area is 500 hectares in size, with nearly 400 hectares planted in coffee.
The farm is certified organic and produces both Washed and Natural coffees, and it not only has a wonderful flavor profile but also full traceability down to the producer—and nowadays down to the "block," or subplot. Ahadu is an entrepreneur who was a founding member of the executive team at the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange, who left the ECX and decided to invest in a farm himself in order to produce entirely specialty coffee. He found the perfect spot in the famous Kaffa Zone, which is considered the absolute birthplace of Arabica coffee, and decided to start up an operation that aimed to preserve the natural beauty of the area, support the local community, and of course produce fantastic coffees. Today, Tega & Tula
"Sweet with tart acidity and a smooth mouthfeel; cooked berry, red grape, cocoa and chocolate flavors."