Ethiopia Bekele Gemeda Espresso

Tasting notes: Vanilla, cherry, hazelnut, plum.

Coffee breakdown:
Origin: Worka, Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia
Variety: Heirloom
Process: Washed
Producer: Bekele Gemeda
Altitude: 2100 m

Mr. Bekele Gemeda owns and manages 6.5 hectares of coffee trees in one location, with an additional 3 hectares nearby in the village of Worka, located 13 kilometres from Gedeb. Supported by his 11 children, two of whom work alongside him full-time, Mr. Bekele dedicates himself entirely to coffee farming. The income from his coffee not only supports his family but also provides livelihoods for his married sons who help run the farm.

Mr. Bekele takes immense pride in this lot being recognised under his name – an uncommon occurrence in Ethiopia where coffee is rarely traceable to an individual producer. This level of recognition reflects his exceptional commitment to quality, from cultivation through to processing.

This coffee is part of the Single Farmer Project, an initiative launched in 2012 by Jason Long, CEO of Café Imports. Developed during a time of instability in Ethiopia’s coffee export system, the program aimed to make Ethiopian coffees fully traceable to individual farmers. Through this initiative, producers like Mr. Bekele gain direct access to international markets and receive premiums paid directly to them in cash, ensuring fairness and transparency.

The project manages every step of the process: marketing individual lots, sending samples to buyers, negotiating prices on behalf of the farmer, and finalising contracts only with the producer’s approval. This approach fosters stronger, long-term relationships between roasters and producers, built on traceability and mutual respect.

Padre is proud to support this initiative and to bring you a coffee that represents both innovation and tradition – a testament to Ethiopia’s rich coffee heritage and the dedication of producers like Mr. Bekele.