Bekele Balaycho is a third-generation Ethiopian farmer in Sidama who has cultivated coffee on family land for over a decade. While he grows crops like bananas and avocados for food, coffee sustains his livelihood. Known for being fastidious, Bekele goes to great lengths to preserve the unique character of his individual lots. By partnering with Mecota Trading, he avoids the anonymity of traditional mass-processing, ensuring his specialty-grade landrace coffee retains its distinct identity and high-quality profile.

Bekele Balaycho’s coffee undergoes the natural process. A notoriously fastidious producer, Bekele ensures his coffee is processed as a single lot, preventing it from being lost in anonymous blends typically found at washing stations. Supported by processing guidance from Mecota Trading, the cherries are dried to specialty standards—often on raised African beds under the sun—to preserve their distinct identity. This meticulous handling protects the coffee's unique landrace character, resulting in a complex profile of blackberry and floral notes.

In Ethiopia, "heirloom" is a generic catch-all for thousands of unidentified coffee varieties. It covers both lab-developed JARC varieties and wild-growing regional landraces. While many coffees are sold as "mixed heirloom," Bekele Balaycho’s coffee is specifically identified as a landrace. This distinction rejects the "heirloom myth," providing transparency and honoring the unique genetic heritage of Sidama. By specifying landrace, producers ensure their coffee’s distinct identity isn't lost in anonymity, allowing for a more authentic connection to its origin.

We chose this coffee because of Bekele Balaycho’s reputation as a fastidious producer who meticulously preserves the character of single lots. We purchased the lot without checking the price, reckless I know, but this is Bekele. Our roasting approach is to crack the combination, simply honouring his meticulous work. We roast on an innovative induction roaster, we curate our bite-size podcasts, and I hope succeed in creating a unique level of intimacy and connection between you and the coffee.