Introduction
Our May 2025 Roaster’s Pick Filter, Ethiopia Gebanesh Gulufa Kurume Natural, comes from the high-altitude slopes of Worka Shakaro Farm in Ethiopia’s Gedeo Zone. This natural-processed Kurume varietal balances bold fruitiness with delicate florals, think purple plum, red apple, and the complex florals of wild blossoms. It’s a coffee shaped by generational wisdom, organic farming, and the unique microclimate of one of Ethiopia’s most celebrated growing regions.
| Farm | Worka Shakaro |
|---|---|
| Process | Natural |
| Variety | Kurume |
| Elevation |
2,078 MASL |
| Region |
Gedeb, Gedeo |
| Country | Ethiopia |
How’s It Taste?
Sun-dried cherries give this coffee its vibrant personality. Ripe purple plum and crisp red apple dominate, edged with tart hibiscus and a complex floral aroma. The Kurume varietal’s natural sweetness shines through, balanced by a clean acidity and velvety texture. It’s a coffee that mirrors the wild, untamed landscape where it’s grown - complex yet approachable.
How To Brew?
Recipe
|
Weight |
Yield |
Temperature |
Extraction Time |
Ratio |
|
20g |
300g |
95℃ |
2:20 Min |
1 : 15 |
To fully experience the depth and complexity of Ethiopia Gebanesh Gulufa | Kurume Natural, we recommend trying it with these brewing methods:
- Pour Over
- Aeropress
- Cold Brew
- Batch Brew (Moccamaster)
Each method highlights the unique characteristics of this roast, ensuring a memorable cup every time.
For more brewing tips, visit our Brewing Guide.
Who’s Behind This Amazing Coffee?
Gebanesh Gulufa and Shifara Dukale, a husband-and-wife team, steward the Worka Shakaro Farm, a 3-hectare plot passed down through generations. With over two decades of hands-on experience, they’ve honed their approach through agronomy training programs led by Lalissa experts and government initiatives.
Their farm isn’t just their livelihood; it’s a constantly evolving project where traditional wisdom meets modern techniques. By intercropping Kurume trees with native shade species like Albizia and Cordia, they preserve soil health and biodiversity, avoiding synthetic inputs entirely. Their selective harvesting - a practice refined over years - ensures only cherries at peak-ripeness make it to drying beds, a discipline that’s earned Worka Shakaro recognition in Gedeo’s competitive specialty coffee landscape.
The Process
Post-harvest, cherries undergo a sun-drenched transformation. After hand-sorting, they’re spread across raised beds where the high altitude, cool mountain nights and intense daytime heat create a rhythmic drying cycle. For 20–30 days, Gebanesh and Shifara turn the cherries hourly to prevent over-fermentation, adjusting covers during midday scorchers to slow moisture loss.
This deliberate pacing allows sugars from the fruit’s mucilage to seep into the beans, amplifying Kurume’s inherent floral and stone-fruit notes. The result? A coffee that avoids the raisin-like intensity of some naturals, instead offering clarity reminiscent of washed Ethiopians - proof that patience and altitude can redefine a process.
The Region
Worka Shakaro Farm sits in Gedeb, a subregion within Ethiopia’s Gedeo Zone, where elevations soar above 2,000 MASL and iron-rich volcanic soils anchor one of coffee’s most biodiverse ecosystems. Here, the Kurume varietal - a compact, drought-resistant heirloom - thrives under dappled forest shade, its small cherries maturing slowly to concentrate sugars.
Gedeo’s microclimates, shaped by the Great Rift Valley’s undulating terrain, yield coffees with razor-sharp acidity and layered aromatics. Historically, traceability here was a puzzle due to fragmented smallholder systems, but recent policy shifts now let farmers like Gebanesh and Shifara market their lots directly, bridging their labor to roasters who value transparency as much as taste.
Ethiopia Gebanesh Gulufa Kurume Natural reflects the harmony of tradition and terroir. From the shaded slopes of Worka Shakaro to your brew, it’s a window into Ethiopia’s coffee heritage is one steeped in resilience, flavour, and the quiet dedication of farmers like Gebanesh and Shifara.
For those interested in establishing a wholesale coffee partnership, head to our wholesale page and fill out the contact form. If you're a venue looking to purchase casually or feature us as a guest roaster, visit Ordermentum to connect and view our price list.
