Nagare Espresso: Gotiti by Ephtah | Ethiopia

More about Gotiti and Ephtah Coffee:

This natural lot comes from Gotiti area, in Gedeb woreda, and is processed at a drying station in Banko Gotiti that is exclusively rented and managed by Ephtah Specialty Coffee.

Ephtah Specialty Coffee, led by Wubit Bekele, is a progressive coffee producers and exporter committed to building collaborative supply chains for the benefit of their customers as well as farmers and their communities. Ephtah operate their own processing site - Lalesa - as well as renting others in the regions and partnering with other independent producers to produce and export high quality coffee. Ephtah not only ensures quality at every stage of the productions and shipment process but also provides vital support like financing, agronomy training and technical assistance to their partners. The company pre-financed 85% of this lot, helping to support the purchasing and preparation of coffee through the season. The company also puts particular emphasis on promoting the role of women in coffee and their pivotal role in driving social and economic change in Ethiopia.

The Gotiti site sits at approximately 2,150 to 2,200 metres above sea level, with this lot recorded at around 2,200 metres above sea level. It covers an area of approximately two hectares and has around 150 drying beds. It employs four permanent staff and around 80 seasonal workers during the harvest period. Coffee in the area is grown naturally under indigenous shade trees, including Ensete, commonly known as false banana.

The cherries for coffee processed here are sourced from nearby farmers growing local landrace varieties and harversted during the late November to January harvest period. Once delivered the cherries are checked for quality, carefully sorted to remove lower-density and underripe cherries. The coffee is then placed on raised drying beds and dried for around 12 to 15 days. Once dry, the green coffee is handpicked by local women to support quality and consistency.

Alongside speciality coffee production and related technical assistance to their partners and growers, Ephtah also further support farming communities through their AMA Commitment project. Translated as “Mother’s Commitment” this projects initially sought to support independent women producers in gaining better income from their coffee. This was done through pre-financing, donation of improved drying beds and technical training. The second stage of the project now focuses on improving opportunities for the next generation - through setting up day care centres at Ephtah processing sites. The benefit of this is twofold - children get a head start before beginning school attendance whilst allowing their mothers to work and provide income for their families.