February’s Black History Month originated in the United States as a time to recognize the historic and present day contributions of black people here and across the world. Vienna Coffee knows that the rich and complex blends that make up the diaspora of people of African descent are an integral part of the coffee journey. Like much of the story of Black people in America this history is tainted by the bitter acidity of slavery, the present flavored by the dregs of that past, and the future is dependent on our willingness to acknowledge those elements.
Read MoreAmaro Gayo and One of Ethiopia's Only Female Coffee Exporters
This month we have the pleasure of having Ethiopia Amaro Gayo as our featured coffee. So what better time to tell you about the incredible farm, and equally incredible woman that this coffee comes from.
This coffee comes from a farm in the Amaro Mountains of Ethiopia. The area is full of waterfalls, bamboo forests, and local coffee varietals. Nestled between a National Park and tribal land, the farm is unique and beautiful. This land is the home of one of Ethiopia’s only female coffee millers and exporters, Asnakech Thomas, who returned to Amaro in 2005 to improve the quality of coffee and the living conditions of her home region. Through her farm she helps provide medical assistance, jobs, and schooling to her community.
Asnakech’s farm is unique in that the coffee is harvested, sorted, and milled all on-site, which gives her extraordinary control over the quality of the coffee. She only accepts the highest quality coffee cherries at the peak of freshness. Her cherries are then dried on raised beds to create a cleaner coffee by removing contact with the ground soil. These beds also help the coffee dry evenly on all sides, resulting in a more consistent flavor and quality.
Aside from running and incredible farm and coffee mill, she also helped found an advocacy program for other female coffee growers called the EWiC (Ethiopian Women in Coffee Association). This group helps fight for women at an economic disadvantage that may not be getting recognized for their role in the coffee community. The organization also helps provide training and networking for these female producers.
“Our hostess, Asnakech Thomas is a force of nature. Her Estate in the Sidamo region produces some of the finest semi-washed coffees you will find and she is a delight. Organic and local to her core, her influence on coffees in the region reaches well beyond her own estate.” - John Clark on his 2015 Origin Trip
Asnakech has overcome and powered through every challenge (including a literal war on her farm) to keep providing great coffee to the world and better lives for those in her community. It is our honor to get to roast and serve up her crops and we hope you taste every ounce of her hard work and ambition in every drop.
Ethiopia Origin Trip Report - December 6-18, 2015
Read about owner, John Clark's adventure to the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia in December.
Read MoreMarch's Featured Coffee - Kenya AA Estate
Coffee Cooperative: WACHURI FARMERS’ COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED
According to our importer Royal Coffee, “Most of the coffees from Nyeri develop and mature slowly producing extra hard beans. This quality is evident in the cup which is why Nyeri is traditionally known as the heart of black gold coffee.” This coffee has hints of raspberry and grapefruit and screams “Sweet Corn” in the grinder. It is also very “fresh” smelling on the pour over bar. It has a round, smooth acidity (brightness), big syrupy body and a clean crisp finish. Roasted on the light side of Full-City Roast, but not quite a City Roast. If you like this one, try one of our Ethiopian coffees next. With each of these rare coffees, you are in for a real treat! Try a bag or cup today!
photo courtesy of Royal Coffee New York