Expressive and exciting, this unique flavor profile has fruity and floral tasting notes.

Recipe

Filter: 20g coffee / 260g water / 3min 30s

The Beans

Producer: Metu Washing Station
City: Illubabor, Oromia
Country: Ethiopia
Altitude: 2000 - 2100 MASL
Variety: Ethiopia Landraces
Process: Washed, dried on raised beds

About the Coffee

Illubabor Zone is one of Ethiopia’s most fertile and least exploited regions. Spanning approximately 16,555 square kilometers, it features a warm temperate climate that is atypical for the country. With an average annual temperature of 20.7°C and rainfall exceeding 1,800 mm, the zone enjoys ideal conditions for coffee cultivation.

The undulating topography, ranging between 1,400 and 2,100 meters above sea level, is characterized by steep-sided river valleys and flat, waterlogged valley bottoms.

To reach Illubabor, travelers typically fly into Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, followed by a 30-minute domestic flight to Metu, the capital of Illubabor Zone. From Metu, the journey continues by a combination of paved and dirt roads until reaching the Metu washing station.

Established in 2015 on 1.5 hectares of land, the Metu washing station currently processes between 300 and 400 tons of clean green coffee annually.

The station meticulously handles every stage of processing: washing, pulping, fermenting, and drying the coffee to produce a high-quality final product. Once processed, the coffee is stored as parchment under controlled conditions to preserve its quality until it is transported to the dry mill. Fully dried parchment is then packed into bags and either stored or bulked in conditioning bins.

To maintain both traceability and quality, the station practices strict lot separation. Detailed records are kept from the moment coffee cherries are collected, noting the supplier’s name, original location, and quantity. These records follow the coffee through every stage of processing.

Most farms in the area have access to dirt roads. During harvest season, producers transport bags of coffee cherries by motorcycle, horse, or donkey to the nearest collection center. From there, the cherries are moved by truck to a central collection point. Overall, transportation between farms and collection centers is relatively straightforward.

Local producers commonly intercrop their coffee with native trees, such as the false banana tree (Ensete ventricosum), which provide natural shade and help fertilize the soil.

The majority of producers in Illubabor belong to the Oromo ethnic group and speak Oromo dialects. Traditional Oromo customs and culture remain deeply embedded in daily life.

Shipping and Pickup:

We roast and ship every Monday to ensure maximum freshness. Orders placed before 6:00 AM (ET) ship that afternoon; later orders ship the following Monday. You will be notified when your order is ready for pickup or shipping. Bring your confirmation email.