ETHIOPIA EPHTAH ANAEROBIC

PAPAYA | ORANGE WINE | VANILLA | CINNAMON |

From the mountains of Lalesa, in the Gedeb area of Ethiopia, comes this exceptional anaerobic coffee, grown at an altitude of 2,150 to 2,200 meters above sea level. This area is particularly well suited to producing high-quality coffee, where the climate, altitude, and post-harvest processing combine to create a distinctive and complex aromatic profile.

The lot comprises local heirloom varieties and is harvested mainly between December and January, during Ethiopia’s main harvest season. The plants grow naturally in the shade of trees, especially Ensete, also known as false banana, as part of a traditional farming system that shapes the region’s landscape.

Controlled anaerobic processing

What sets this coffee apart is its anaerobic process. The cherries undergo controlled fermentation in plastic barrels for about 9 days, creating an oxygen-free environment that encourages the development of intense, complex, and particularly well-defined aromas.

After fermentation, the coffee is moved to drying beds, where it remains for about 13–18 days. Slow, controlled drying is essential to preserve the quality of the beans and ensure consistency and stability over time. Once the right moisture level is reached, the coffee is stored in the station’s warehouse before being transferred to Addis Ababa for the next stages.

Lalesa: a project built around quality

The Lalesa processing site is owned by Ephtah Specialty Coffee, which acquired the land in July 2023 and subsequently built the warehouse and drying beds in September of the same year. Covering about 3.5 hectares, the station is now the largest drying site in the Gedeb area.

Ephtah works to build more sustainable, transparent, and collaborative coffee supply chains by developing long-term relationships with producers and investing in product quality and local communities.

At Lalesa, producers receive an initial payment immediately after delivering their coffee, helping improve cash flow and financial stability for farming families. Ephtah also supports social initiatives in the community, including a childcare center for the children of Gedeb producers.

Particular attention is also given to the role of women in the supply chain. Some women producers in the area participate in the Ama Commitment program, an initiative designed to strengthen women’s participation and role in coffee production and farming communities.

A contemporary Ethiopia, where tradition meets innovation

Lalesa Anaerobic brings together Ethiopia’s rich coffee-growing tradition and modern processing techniques. Local heirloom varieties, exceptional altitude, and nine days of anaerobic fermentation create a coffee for those seeking a cup that is intense, aromatic, and unconventional.