New single origin
ETHIOPIA ALAKA
NATURAL
NATURAL
By Intelligentsia Sourcing | Aug 30, 2024
The Variety
Ethiopia
The Variety
Alaka Natural
Ethiopia’s naturally-processed coffees are so exceptional that, years ago, we broke from an Intelligentsia tradition of serving only washed coffees to make room for them on our menu. Since that time, the knowledge of how to best process natural coffees has continued to spread, with many producers looking to Ethiopia as their guiding star. Often, when we ask top coffee producers in Latin America how they dry their coffee, they simply say 'camas africanas,' or 'African beds' — referring to the raised drying tables that improve ventilation and can be seen at washing stations across Ethiopia. This approach to drying coffee can lead to a more uniform result while allowing the coffee to dry slowly in a way that preserves its inherent characteristics. Taken too far, the natural process can present as heavy and process-forward, masking a sense of place. A careful natural, however, can express deep, developed sweetness that complements rather than obscures any florals or acids.
Naturally processed lots from METAD's Hambela station are received in cherry, sorted for ripeness, and then spread across a vast network of raised drying beds where they are gently dried over the course of 2-3 weeks, cherry fully intact. Once dry, the coffee is sent to the dry mill where the now dried and shriveled husk of the cherry is removed before coffee is sorted and processed for export.
Look For
Notes of Raspberry, Orange, and Red Grape
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