Ethiopia Suke Quto Natural

Ethiopia Suke Quto Natural processed by Dutch roaster Shokunin

Flavor notes: Lavender, Strawberry Jam, Earl Grey

Like all Shokunin coffees, this is an Omniroast, although we brew everything from them in a filter.

This batch of coffee comes from Tesfaye Bekele – the founder of Suke Quto farm and one of the pioneers of coffees from the Guji region. Tesfaye comes from a coffee-growing family – he started working with it as a child, then left it for some time, only to eventually return to Shakisso and reconnect his life with coffee.

In the late 1990s, the Guji region was hit by massive fires that destroyed over 5,000 acres of forest. At that time, Tesfaye worked for the Ethiopian government, responsible for the Guji and Borena regions. He was tasked with rebuilding these areas and finding new ways to protect them. He proposed reforestation with simultaneous planting of coffee trees to increase biodiversity. The community initially agreed, but when they learned that the trees would only bear fruit after 4–5 years, many farmers returned the seedlings.

Tesfaye set aside a small area of land and, using government funds, established a nursery to prove that his idea made sense. Over time, he resigned from his administrative job and became a coffee producer himself. He wanted to make coffee the heart of the region – and it was thanks to him that Guji made it onto the specialty coffee map. After the first harvests, the same farmers who had previously rejected his idea came back for the seedlings. Today, many farms in Guji have their origins in Suke Quto.

Tesfaye works with 171 small producers and manages 220 hectares of land in the highlands of Odo Shakisso. The farm stretches between hills and valleys, and the fertile, volcanic soils are maintained through the natural recycling of organic matter from coffee trees and shade trees. All coffees from Suke Quto are certified Organic and Rainforest Alliance.

Over 200 seasonal workers are involved in harvesting and processing coffee. Tesfaye focuses on environmentally friendly production and the economic development of the local community. He believes that sustainable coffee production should provide decent incomes. In cooperation with Trabocca, he also contributed to the construction of a new school in the nearby village of Kurume.

Coffee from Suke Quto farm in the Guji region of Ethiopia is a classic example of natural processing, which highlights its juicy and fruity character. In the cup, you'll find intense sweetness reminiscent of strawberry jam, delicate floral notes, and a tea-like, slightly Earl Grey finish. It's a coffee with a light, elegant body, good for everyday - ideal for pour-over methods, especially in Chemex. 

Packaging:
250g whole bean coffee