Coffee Description
Washed coffees from the Gedeb region are often shining examples of why Ethiopia is the north star for processing and cultivation. This offering from Banko Gotiti fits the mold of the archetype of washed coffees, reminding us of fresh melon, delicate jasmine, finishing with lasting orange and cardamom. As with most washed Ethiopian offerings, we thoroughly enjoy these coffees for their utility both as espresso or filter brews.
Roast Level from the Roaster
Refers to the roast level in comparison with other coffees from the roaster
Light/Medium
Variety
Ethiopia Heirloom/Landraces
Process
Washed
Elevation
2050 masl
Region
Gedeb
About Banko Gotiti of Ethiopia
We have had the pleasure of purchasing coffee from Banko Gotiti on several occasions throughout the seasons. This exquisite lot has found its way to us through the kind efforts of our friend Michael Adinew and Testi Coffee. The allure of Banko Gotiti's coffees lies in their distinctive cup profile, which we consider to be a convergence of numerous unique factors in coffee cultivation. One of the standout features is the use of indigenous coffee varieties, which contribute to the coffee's exceptional flavor. Additionally, the coffee is cultivated at an incredibly high elevation, further enhancing their quality. This combination gives rise to a cup that boasts a dense and intricate sweetness, complemented by the delicate floral notes characteristic of our favorite Ethiopian coffees.
The origins of the Banko Gotiti cooperative can be traced back to 2012 when it branched off from the larger Worka Cooperative. Despite being smaller in size, the Banko Gotiti cooperative takes great pride in its meticulous cherry selection and processing methods. This meticulous approach is evident in the superior quality and flavor of the coffee they produce.
The cooperative's name is derived from its close proximity to the town of Banko Gotiti, adding a touch of local charm to the coffee's origin. We continue to be impressed by the consistent excellence of the coffees produced by the Banko Gotiti cooperative and look forward to more exciting discoveries in the future.
Gedeb, Ethiopia
Onyx Coffee Lab
Lest the myth perpetuate that specialty coffee does not come from Arkansas, Onyx Coffee Lab is blowing that particular urban legend out of the water while creating a few of their own. Husband-wife owners Jon and Andrea Allen have rapidly taken the coffee world by storm with their combination of art and science.
The magic starts with sourcing, with countless small sample batches from coffee importers and with direct visits to farms around the world. "I know direct trade means a lot of different things to different people, but for us if we don’t put money in the producers hands we won’t call it direct trade," says Jon. Once found, the coffees are carefully roasted in twenty-pound or smaller batches, then shared with the three Onyx cafés and over 150 wholesale customers in thirty states.
Clearly Onyx Coffee Lab knows what they're doing: this northwest Arkansas matrix of coffee know-how routinely cleans house at the U.S. Coffee Championships; Andrea Allen placed first in the 2020 Barista Championship, while Elika Liftee placed first in the 2020 Brewers Cup Championship, and they both went on to the 2021 World Coffee Championships to place in 2nd place for Barista and 3rd place for Brewers Cup. Onyx has been chosen by Architectural Digest as Arkansas' most beautiful coffee shop, garnered multiple Good Food Awards, and been described as the "Best bags of coffee you can buy online" in GQ.
