Honey Processed from the Sidama Highlands
This month, we’re excited to highlight a coffee that’s been a standout on our cupping table and a longtime favorite from a producer we’ve built a strong relationship with since 2020 - Ethiopia Gatta Honey, a honey processed coffee grown by the Dukamo family in the highlands of Bensa, Sidama.
The Gatta Farm at Daye Bensa in Sidama, Ethiopia.
What Makes Honey Processed Coffee Special?
In coffee processing, the word honey doesn’t refer to actual honey but rather to the sticky layer of the fruit called mucilage. Gatta Honey skips the wash and heads straight to the drying beds, sun-drying with its mucilage intact. The result? A coffee with a tropical fruit-forward tasting note and nuanced flavors of bergamot and black tea that reflect the Dukamo family's meticulous process.
Honey Processed coffee sits to dry in raised beds on the farm.
Why We Love It
This coffee strikes an exceptional balance: it’s sweet without being heavy, complex without being overwhelming, and carries a tea-like body that makes it endlessly drinkable - all accented by a medium acidity and a rounded finish.
At a Glance:
Region: Bensa, Sidama
Producer: Dukamo Family
Cultivar: Various Ethiopia Heirloom
Process: Honey
Altitude: 2000–2400m
Acidity: Medium
Body: Tea-like
Relationship Started: 2020
Vienna CEO, Les Stoneham, visits with the Dukamo family at their farm in Ethiopia.
A Relationship Rooted in Quality
We’ve been working with the Dukamo family since 2020, and each year they continue to impress us with their innovation and consistency. Their approach to processing honey processed coffees, like this one, gives us a deeper appreciation for the craft and creativity behind great coffee.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Ethiopian coffees or just exploring this region for the first time, Gatta Honey is a stellar introduction to the possibilities of honey processing and the vibrant flavors of Sidama.
AT VIENNA COFFEE COMPANY…
Our dedication to ensuring that we are a market leader in craft coffee throughout the southeast dictates that we apply the same critical scrutiny used for our complete coffee lineup to any product we offer.
This commitment demonstrates our continued pursuit to provide craft coffee that enriches the lives of customers and producers alike by providing an experience grounded in excellence and hospitality. We custom pick our green coffee beans from regions across The Coffee Belt and always seek responsible sourcing from seed to cup.
Our roasting team ensures each bean varietal is roasted according to its characteristics to enhance its peak flavors. Vienna Coffee Company goes further by evaluating each varietal harvest through coffee cuppings to evaluate and adjust its roasting profile.
Explore our complete line of coffees online or stop by the Coffee House and let our baristas do the brewing for you. We hope that exploring what we offer (whether its organic, single-origin, a VCC custom blend or your favorite flavored coffee) continues your journey in discovering that “Great Coffee is an Adventure”.