Description
Sidamo Nensebo
The combination of high altitude, abundant sunshine, unique and indigenous landrace varieties all contribute to Nensebo, Sidamo’s well-deserve reputation for producing a clean, sweet and floral cup.
Owned by Negusse Debela, Refisa washing station in Nensebo, Sidamo produces coffees that live up to Sidamo’s reputation for producing a clean, sweet and floral cup.
The process
Farmers hand harvest cherry and deliver it to Refisa washing station. At intake, cherry is visually sorted and then pulped in the station’s disc pulper. Workers lay the parchment on raised beds. Parchment is raked frequently to ensure even drying. It takes approximately 8 to 10 days for parchment to dry.
About Sidamo
Sidama is in the south of Ethiopia and encompasses several other zones (locally known as woredas). It used to be part of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People (SNNP) Regional State, but after a referendum last year, split and became a regional state in its own right.
It is home to a population of around 7.8 million people, who speak the Cushitic language Sidaama or Sidaamu Afoo. Like many other ethnic groups across Ethiopia, the Sidama people have their own traditions, culture, and even their own UNESCO-recognised New Year, called Fichee-Chambalaalla.
The Region
The region spreads across fertile highlands south of Lake Awasa in the Rift Valley. Elevation ranges from 1,500–2,200 m.a.s.l., meaning that coffees ripen slowly in cool temperatures, developing sweeter and more acidic flavours. The soil is fertile, and with 1,200–2,000 mm of annual rainfall, the conditions are ideal for growing coffee.
These high elevations also mean that the coffee tends to ripen slower, with a later harvest season than the rest of Ethiopia. This allows the cherries to develop those complex flavours and aromas characteristic of Sidama coffee.
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