Ethiopia Washed Yirgacheffe Chelchele

In the Kochere district of Yirgacheffe, where Arabica coffee first grew wild in the forest understory, the Chelchele washing station gathers ripe cherry from hundreds of nearby smallholders. This washed lot carries the floral, citrus-bright signature that made the region famous.

OriginEthiopia RegionYirgacheffe, Kochere Elevation1,800-2,200m ProcessWashed VarietyEthiopian Heirloom The Source

Kochere, the Heart of Yirgacheffe

Ethiopia is the birthplace of Arabica coffee and one of the largest producers on the continent, and Yirgacheffe sits at the top of its reputation for delicate, aromatic cups. Within Yirgacheffe, the Kochere district is prized for its high ground and old-growth shade canopy of Enset, Albizia, and Acacia, which slows cherry maturation and concentrates sugars and aromatics.

The Chelchele station draws cherry from a community of smallholder farmers working small plots across the surrounding hills, with growing sites reaching well above 2,000 meters. At these high altitudes the beans grow dense and small, developing the bright acidity and floral intensity that define the region. Coffee is woven into daily life here, generating a large share of Ethiopia's export earnings and supporting the families who tend these farms across generations.

The Craft

Washed for Clarity, Roasted City+

At Chelchele, ripe cherry is pulped, fermented, and washed in clean running water, then soaked for a day and a half before drying slowly on raised African beds for a week or more. This washed process strips away the fruit early, letting the bean's own florality and citrus come through with a clean, tea-like finish rather than the jammy weight of a natural.

We roast to City+, a medium-light profile that protects the delicate aromatics this lot is known for. The roast develops enough sweetness to round out the cup while keeping the jasmine lift and bergamot brightness intact. Solar power runs our roastery, so each batch reflects both the care at origin and our commitment to a lighter footprint.

Jasmine Bergamot Lemon Black Tea BodyLight AcidityBright The Cup

Floral Lift, Citrus Snap

The cup opens with jasmine and a soft floral perfume, then a wash of bergamot and bright lemon acidity carries the middle. As it cools, a black-tea structure and gentle honeyed sweetness settle in, finishing clean and aromatic. The body stays light and silky, the kind of cup that rewards careful attention without ever feeling heavy.

Find Your Fix

This delicate, high-acidity lot shines in pour-over. Reach for a Chemex or V60 to spotlight the floral and citrus notes, or a clean drip batch for everyday cups. Aeropress works well for a brighter, more concentrated shot. Explore the full lineup of coffee beans and find your fix.

Roasted in small batches at our Virginia Beach roastery.

Packaged in reusable glass mason jars, returned locally for reuse. Solar-roasted.

Virginia Beach, VA