Ethiopia - Ayele Tulu

The Ayele Tulu Washing Station is situated in the Bona Zuria district of the Sidama region, more specifically in the Demeka Becha Kebele, 100 km from Hawassa, Ethiopia. Due to the region’s high elevation, the coffees produced here are famously known as "Highland Coffee. " Each year, approximately 600 smallholder producers bring ripe cherries to this washing station.

Bona Zuria district, nestled in the Sidama zone of Ethiopia, is renowned for its rich landscapes and high-altitude coffee cultivation. The area' s unique climate and fertile soil provide optimal conditions for producing high- quality coffee beans, establishing it as an important coffee-growing region. 

Smallholder producers in the area bring their ripe cherries to the washing station, where they undergo a careful de-pulping process using a traditional disc pulper. Following this, the cherries are fermented in a water tank for 24 to 72 hours to develop their flavours. After fermentation, the coffees are soaked overnight is pristine water sourced from the nearby Daddaye River. They are then laid out on raised beds under shade to dry for 10 to 15 days, achieving a moisture content of 10 to 12%. Throughout this drying phase, the coffees are meticulously raked and sorted to ensure consistent flavour development. The resulting cup offers a delightful acidity and crisp sweetness, highlighting the exceptional processing techniques and the unique microclimate of the region. Once the drying process is complete, the coffee beans are transferred to a secure storehouse, where they await transportation to Addis Ababa for final processing.where they await transportation to Addis Ababa for final processing.