ETHIOPIA KAYON MESSIAH

Moon Is Down

Shakisso is a land that continues to shape the legacy of Ethiopian coffee. In this highland region altitude shade and patience come together in quiet harmony. The farms rest beneath canopies of native trees allowing the cherries to mature slowly and develop their natural sweetness. From this landscape we welcome the work of Ismael Hassen Aredo a dedicated farmer whose Kayon Mountain mill captures the balance between nature and craft. His coffee reflects the calm precision of Shakisso itself. Sweet layered and deeply rooted in the spirit of the highlands.

Kayon Mountain is known for coffees rich in complexity often marked by deep berry tones and elegant sweetness. Through Falcon’s dedicated effort Ismael’s lot was carefully separated from regional blends allowing his work to stand on its own and reveal the distinct character of his farm. This pursuit of individuality gives small roasters like Arkib the opportunity to explore the potential of Ethiopia’s single farmer coffees. Each lot becomes an expression of place patience and the quiet mastery behind every harvest.

This is one of the long awaited coffees for the Arkib team. From our first cupping before shipment, the coffee showed a gentle and elegant citrus character that immediately drew our attention. Freshly brewed, it opens with sweet cotton candy and delicate neroli, followed by honeydew and melon as the cup cools, settling into the sticky sweetness of madu kelulut with a lingering strawberry essence. As espresso, the citrus takes on more depth with orange blossom, blueberry and rounded goji berry sweetness, carried by a rich, weighty texture reminiscent of mooncake. With milk, the profile shifts toward Belgian chocolate and vanilla, with blackberry and subtle dried jackfruit adding a fruity creaminess. Ismael continues to refine his work with each harvest, and this year’s coffee captures that progress in a cup that feels both elegant and expressive.

The Producer

Established in 2012 by Ismael Hassen Aredo and his family in Ethiopia’s Guji Zone Kayon Mountain Coffee is a rare example of a vertically integrated family owned estate in a coffee sector shaped by fragmentation. The farm spans around 500 hectares with 300 hectares dedicated to coffee and the rest preserved as forest. Its vision is to combine quality with stewardship through certified organic biodynamic and shade grown practices alongside composting and biodiversity preservation.

That philosophy extends to the people who work the land. More than 300 seasonal workers and 25 full time employees receive fair wages healthcare transportation and access to infrastructure making the farm a compelling alternative to local mining work. With its own wet and dry mills Kayon Mountain maintains close control over production and traceability. At elevations between 1,900 and 2,200 metres the team produces carefully managed natural and washed coffees.

This independence also allows Kayon Mountain to sell directly to international specialty buyers outside the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange. By controlling cultivation processing and sales the estate can protect both quality and value while building stronger connections with the global coffee market. The result is a model rooted in Ethiopia that brings together environmental care worker welfare careful processing and a clear ambition for specialty coffee.

• Cupping Score 85.75pts

  Fragrance
  cotton candy, orange blossom, magnolia, raspberry, rose tea, orange zest
  
  Aroma
  vanilla, white flower, nutmeg, orange, sirap bandung
  
  Flavour
  kiwi, bell fruits, rock melon, sparkling, grape, vanilla
  
  Aftertaste
  aromatic, lingering
  
  Acid
  medium | lactic acidity, bright, juicy
  
  Body
  medium high | tea-like, silky
  
  Balance
  structured, pointed, harmony
  
  Overall
  white floral elegance with progressive stone fruits taste profile
  

• Roasting Schedule

  Roasting on every day from Monday to Thursday
  Cut-off order 3:00 p.m. a day before processing begins.

  Retail and Wholesale Delivery
  Retail order on the next working day

  Delivery will be made on the next processing working day once your order is roasted or ready.

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