Ethiopia - Mengeche Derso / Ethiopian Heirloom / Natural

High in the lush hills of Halo Beriti, a celebrated village in Ethiopia’s Gedeo Zone, 62-year-old Mengeche Derso tends to his 15-hectare farm with the wisdom of a lifetime spent cultivating coffee. At 2,300 metres above sea level, his land is blessed with cool mountain air and rich, fertile soil—ideal conditions for Yirgachefe coffee, renowned for its elegance and complexity.

Mengeche’s story is intertwined with the history of traceability in Ethiopian coffee. Through Café Imports’ pioneering Single Farmer Project—launched in 2012 to put farmers’ names at the forefront of their work—Mengeche is able to share his coffee directly with roasters worldwide. The program gives smallholders like him a seat at the table, ensuring fair pricing, recognition, and long-term relationships built on transparency.

On his farm, Mengeche works side by side with four of his twelve children. They farm with care and tradition, enriching their soils with natural fertilisers such as animal manure and plant matter, a practice handed down through generations. His dedication to excellence has earned him both local recognition and global appreciation.

This naturally processed Ethiopian heirloom variety is a beautiful reflection of his craft, presenting a lively red-berry sweetness layered with citrus brightness and a whisper of delicate florals.

Flavour profile: Berries, citrus, florals

[Note] This coffee is roasted to order, please allow 1 – 2 business days prior to dispatch