2024 Ethiopia Washed TOH 2nd Place
Woka-Chelchele Village is situated in the Gedeo zone of the Yirgacheffe region in Ethiopia. It is a particularly favored area within the Red Cherry Project. The coffee from this region is renowned for its unique fruity flavors and rich floral aromas, distinctly different from coffees produced in other parts of the Yirgacheffe area. The fertile land of Woka-Chelchele benefits from the natural high-quality fertilizer provided by the fallen leaves of tall trees. Most smallholder farmers here cultivate less than 2 hectares of land at altitudes ranging from approximately 1,900 to 2,000 meters, primarily planting local native coffee varieties. This batch of coffee beans has been rated as G1, the highest grade by ECX, achieving exceptional standards in bean appearance, consistency, freshness, dry aroma, and flavor performance, with a rich and diverse aromatic profile.
The Chelchele Farm and its washing station are managed by Metad and are located approximately 400 kilometers south of Addis Ababa in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR). Established in 2013, the farm spans 30 hectares and is situated in the core area of the Yirgacheffe region, globally acclaimed for its outstanding coffee quality. Metad works closely with local farmers to provide them with the highest quality coffee cherries. Currently, over 2,000 farmers in the Gedeb area sell all or part of their harvest to Metad.
Metad is deeply aware of the rich natural heritage of the Gedeo region and actively promotes environmentally friendly farming practices. Additionally, the company has funded the construction of roads near the washing station and built a primary school capable of accommodating 800 students, which it fully operates.