About: Ethiopia’s West Arsi zone is located in the Oromia region, bordered by Sidama, East Shewa, Arsi, Bale, and Guji. The area shares many production characteristics with its neighboring Sidama, and was previously considered to be part of the Sidama growing area before reclassification. The zone is populated by nearly 3 million people today, of which nearly 90% are of the Oromo ethnic group.
This coffee was produced by smallholder producers living in the Riripa village of the Nensebo woreda of Ethiopia’s West Arsi zone. Ripe cherries were delivered by 822 producers to SNAP’s Riripa washing station, which is operated by Negusse Debela who is also responsible for overseeing SNAP’s two washing stations in Worka Chelbesa.
Local farmers grow locally selected Landrace and JARC varieties. Cherries are manually harvested before being delivered to the washing station. This lot underwent traditional Natural processing and was dried on raised beds. Cherries are turned frequently during drying, and are covered during the hottest hours of the day and at night to control the rate of drying.