Ethiopia – Kochere

Did you know Yirgacheffe coffee is celebrated as one of the most flavorful in the world? At the Bonde Kochere Washing Station, high altitudes and heirloom varieties come together to orchestrate a symphony of vibrant flavors.

Behind each exceptional cup stands a community of 650 dedicated smallholder farmers. Ripe cherries are hand-selected, de-pulped and fermented for 36 to 48 hours, then dried under the golden Ethiopian sun until moisture levels reach perfection. This careful choreography transforms fertile soils and organic practices into a celebrated sensory experience, a true, encore-worthy performance from one of coffee’s most renowned regions in the world.

We partner with the station to ensure high quality by sorting coffee beans carefully. They sort the beans by size and density and select them by hand. This process takes three times longer than standard methods to achieve zero defects.

The extraordinary cup quality tells only half the story. Our commitment extends beyond flavor—sorters earn twice the regional average wage, providing stable incomes that strengthen families, support community development, and fund education for the next generation. This exemplifies the transformative power of Project DIRECT, where exceptional coffee creates exceptional opportunities.