Yirgacheffe Aricha, Natural

Aricha lies in the Yirgacheffe district of Ethiopia’s Gedeo zone, a region known for producing some of the most sought-after microlots in the world. High elevation, fertile soil, consistent rainfall and generations of local coffee knowledge all contribute to the distinctive beauty of Yirgacheffe coffees. This lot is grown at around 1,900 metres and is made from indigenous Ethiopian heirloom varieties. These local varieties are part of what gives Ethiopian coffees their unmistakable character: floral aromatics, delicate sweetness and bright fruit complexity. The Aricha station is connected to Boledu Industrial, an exporting business led by Mebrahtu Aynalem. Boledu means “source” in the local language, and the business works directly with washing stations and smallholder farmers rather than relying only on anonymous exchange lots. Around 1,500 growers use the Aricha facility, where coffee is dried on raised African beds and carefully managed throughout the process. Farmers are trained before harvest on ripe cherry selection and specialty coffee standards. Quality supervisors monitor cherry deliveries, helping protect consistency and reward better picking. This direct relationship allows the coffee to remain traceable, repeatable and focused on quality. In the cup, Aricha Natural is expressive and elegant: cherry, chocolate, orange blossom, rose and apricot, with delicate sweetness and a refined fruit character. Asteri note: A high-altitude Ethiopian natural from Aricha, shaped by heirloom varieties, careful cherry selection and slow drying on raised African beds.