Ethiopia Fahem
Peach Cobbler • Chai Tea • Wild Honey

Location: Limmu Seka Woreda, Ethiopia
Elevation: 6397ft
Variety: Heirloom
Processing: Fully Washed
Harvest Period: Feb-April 2017

What a flavorful coffee! This is our first coffee from Fahem, a woman owned farm located in Limmu Ethiopia. The aromas are delicate and intriguing. In the cup, on the other hand, it's an all out party! The expected tea notes are there and are incredibly complex, almost spicy. Yet the coffee remains soft and expansive thanks to the sweet mouth filling yellow peach base. So good.

From our importing partners at Crop to Cup. Fahem PLC - (Mothers Day, Arbor Day, Earth Day) Fahem Coffee PLC, is unique for Ethiopia. A woman owned estate is not in any way the norm, but one in the West is even more rare. The land was in the family for over 25 years, but Hayatudin (owner) only began exporting in 2013. The farm is striking, located in a natural forest in Western Ethiopia (Oromia Region, Jimma Zone, Limmu-Seqa District in Checka Kebele). The west of Ethiopia is the nations last uninterrupted forest. As population expands, forests are cleared for homesteading, timber and charcoal. However, coffee in this area is all forest coffee, naturally occurring. Farmers leave the canopy and plant beneath - which serves to protect Ethiopia's last swaths of forest.

These high elevation coffees, tended to with dedication has helped turn the corner for the Jimma zone, which is increasingly earning a spot in the menus of specialty coffee roasters in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Germany, Japan and Australia.

Fahem is female owned and operated; during peak harvest Hayatudin will employ about 400 workers, more than ¾ female. She tends to her flock, investing significantly in the local primary school, and certifying her farm UTZ, which speaks to her commitment to social, environmental and economic responsibilities.

The farm sits on about 200 hectares of land, and this year Hyatudin is extending her impact in the community and will begin training and buying from smallholder farmers adjacent to her farm. We’ve seen this be a very successful model in Ethiopia, where the knowledge and professionalism of a well run farm can be seen by other farmers as a demonstration plot. As nearby farmers mimic these successful quality practices, coffee cherry prices in the area increase and amplify the regions growing reputation.

We’re excited to support Fahem as Hayatudin extends her positive influence, and continues to be a role model for local businesswomen in W. Ethiopia.