A sweet cup of fresh strawberries, with floral notes of jasmine and vanilla in the finish and light roasted almond lingering on the aftertaste.
Karamo Village sits in the heart of Sidamo, one of Ethiopia's most celebrated coffee-growing regions, known for producing some of the country's most complex and decorated coffees. At 1,800–1,980 metres above sea level, Karamo's altitude is exceptional even by Sidamo's standards, and it's this elevation that defines the coffee's character. The cooler temperatures slow cherry development considerably, extending the ripening period and allowing sugars and flavour compounds to build gradually over a longer harvest window.
Around 350 smallholder farmers contribute to this lot, each managing an average of 2.5 hectares. Farmers bring their freshly picked cherries to the nearest collection station, where the crop is sorted on arrival and ripe cherries are counted and recorded - ensuring transparent, fair payment tied directly to quality.
After sorting, only fully ripe cherries are transferred to raised drying beds, where the natural process begins. Workers turn the cherries by hand at regular intervals throughout the day, a labour-intensive but essential step that prevents over-fermentation and ensures even, consistent drying. At peak harvest, fresh deliveries arrive almost daily, and cherries are moved between beds according to their stage of drying — a careful, hands-on approach that protects the integrity of the fruit and the clarity of the final cup.
- Country: Ethiopia
- Region: Sidamo
- Woreda: Bula Woreda
- Village: Karamo
- Process: Natural
- Cultivar: Heirloom
- Altitude: 1,800–1,980 m.a.s.l.