ETHIOPIA BUNCHO WASHING STATION HONEY

The Buncho Washing Station is located in the Shantawene kebele or village and is part of the Bensa area, in Sidama, Ethiopia. Managed by Asefa Dukamo Korma, the site sits at an elevation of 1920–2020 MASL, high up in the beautiful mountains of Sidama, and is dedicated to producing washed, honey, natural and anaerobic processes. More than 800 farmers from the region contribute with their cherries in this site, mostly with 74158 varietal.

Established in 1996 as producers, Daye Bensa has lived through all the turmoils that coffee growing and exporting entails in the region. Daye Bensa works with various communities of out-growers from whom they receive cherries and work with multiple washing stations in the Bensa, Sidama area, including some of which they own.

Once the cherries arrive at the Buncho Station, they are placed in water for sorting and removing floaters. The cherries are then de-pulped and laid to dry with its mucilage on raised African beds. To ensure an even drying, the parchment is constantly moved each day, taking 12-15 days, depending on the weather, until reaching the desired humidity.

This is our second time bringing in this honey lot from the Buncho Station. Each sip is dynamic, delivering a bright and balanced acidity with a sweet floral finish. This coffee shines on pour over or as an espresso.