Hunkute is located in one of the higher locations in Sidamo in the south of Ethiopia. The membering small holder farmers are growing coffee at altitudes between 1900 and 2000 masl, which results in a very intense and bright coffee. According to our taste,  the Hunkute co-operative has been consistently producing some of the best coffees in the Sidamo region  the last 3 years, so we are very happy to be able to sell it again.

The cup profile is always very citric and limoncello-like with delicate jasmine notes. We think this is a result of both the high altitudes in which the coffee is grown as well as the many local coffee tree varieties that the smallholder farmers grow.

The coffee is organically grown by default, as the farmers do not use chemicals or artificial fertilizer due to little problems with coffee pests and diseases. However, we did not pay for or ask for the organic certificates this year as it would have delayed the shipment even further.

Cooperative: Hunkute co-op.
Lot size: 3600 kg
Producer: Several smallholder members of Hunkute co-op.
Harvest: December 2011
Origin: Dalle, Sidamo, Ethiopia
Growing conditions: About 1900-2000 masl under natural shade trees.
Botanical variety: Local heirloom varietals, Sidamo Type.
Process: Cherries are hand picked by the smallholder farmers that are members of the co-operative. After harvest the coffee cherries are hand sorted to get rid of unripes and overripes before the cherry is delivered for processing. A traditional disc pulper removes the skin and pulp. The coffee is then fermented under water for 24-36 hours, depending on the weather conditions. It is then graded in washing channels in two different grades based on density before soaked under clean water in tanks for 12-24 hours. This lot is of the best grade which consists of beans of higher density. After washing the coffee is sun dried for 10 – 15 days on African drying beds.

Flavour description:
Aromas and flavours of jasmine, lemon and bergamot.
Citric acidity. Slim mouthfeel.
Sweet finish with notes of apricots.

You can buy this coffee in our webshop.

 

Here is an interview about Ethiopian coffee we did with Morten Wennersgaard from our sister company Nordic Approach and Kennedy Keya from Doormans in Kenya,  while we were in Addis Ababa during the harvest in 2011:

Interview from Ethiopia from Tim Wendelboe on Vimeo.