Ethiopia Bench Maji Natural Single Origin Espresso

Ethiopia Bench Maji Natural Single Origin Espresso

Truly flourishing in espresso form, this single origin Ethiopian coffee was processed using the natural method and offers a fruity and sweet profile with notes of blackberry and wildflower honey.

The farm behind this coffee, Gesha Karmach, is located near the Gori Gesha forest in southwest Ethiopia. A crucial stronghold of native forest, the trees from this region provide a natural green dome under which coffee thrives.

Size

cecom-special

12oz

save 15% per oz

2lb

Flavor Profile

Origin
Gesha, Bench Sheko, Ethiopia
Tasting Notes
Sweet and fruity espresso with flavors of blackberry, cranberry jam and wildflower honey.
Roast Level

Light Med Lt Med Med Dark Dark

Origin Story

Smallholder Farmers

This is Equator’s first year purchasing coffee from the Gesha Karmach farm, which was established in 2019. Located in southwest Ethiopia, near the Gori Gesha forest, the farm benefits from the ideal conditions for the cultivation of high quality coffee. The region is best known for the original discovery of the renowned Gesha variety, which the farm cultivates alongside indigenous heirloom varieties.

While deforestation has altered much of Ethiopia’s landscape, Bench Maji remains one of the last strongholds of native forest. The trees form a natural green dome under which coffee thrives. As it expands, the farm remains committed to sustainable development that respects the land and the local communities—including the local Bench, Me’en, and Amhara communities, who have long depended on the forest and its resources.

Altitude

5,675-6,200 feet

Variety

Local Heirloom

Processing

Natural

Why We Love This Coffee

This represents one of two lots Equator purchased from the Gesha Karmach farm this season. This lot was processed using the natural, or dry, method. After harvesting, the coffee was fermented and dried with the fruit surrounding the seed left intact. This fruit imparts its flavor to the seed, resulting in a cup layered with ripe, berry-like fruit tones.

Alex, an Associate Roaster who has been with Equator for 6 years, roasts this coffee with an extended maillard phase which helps build sweetness and body in the cup. This approach is especially complimentary in coffees roasted for espresso, a brew method whose short extraction time tends to make a coffee’s acidity more pronounced.

While there are many variables that contribute to dialing in espresso, here are the parameters that have been yielding the best results in our lab:

1:2.5 coffee to water ratio in 27 seconds

Sustainably Sourced

Good Coffee, Better Planet

We treasure our relationships in the global coffee community and invest in projects at origin to support our partners in their commitment to environmental sustainability and social welfare. We also invest in reducing our day-to-day impact, through initiatives like energy-efficient Loring Smart Roasters to reduce carbon emissions per batch by 80%.

As a certified B Corporation, we are a leader in sustainable practices that impact people and the planet. This third-party certification requires us to demonstrate transparency and accountability throughout our supply chain and quantify the impact our business creates for our employees, the community, and the environment. We are proud to be part of this community working together toward one unifying goal: using business as a force for good.

Ethiopia Bench Maji Natural Single Origin Espresso

Flavor Profile

Origin

Tasting Notes