Tadesse Yonka, Ethiopia

About this coffee

Tadesse Yonka is a second-generation coffee producer from Bensa, in Ethiopia’s renowned Sidama region. He began his journey in coffee by cultivating his father’s garden and quickly grew to become one of the most trusted suppliers in the district. As his operations expanded, he established washing stations in Arbegona—specifically in the high-altitude village of Gemecho, situated at 2,350 meters above sea level. This mountainous, cool-climate terrain allows most coffee trees to thrive in nutrient-rich valleys, a landscape that contributes directly to the cup’s complexity and distinct flavour profile. In the 2024 season, Tadesse processed both natural and anaerobic coffees. The anaerobic lot—fermented for 72 hours in sealed barrels—won the prestigious Taste of Harvest award. His natural process involved meticulous hand-picking and drying the cherries for 24 days on raised African beds, resulting in a clean and fruit_forward profile. This latest menu addition marks our first-ever release of an anaerobically processed Ethiopian coffee. As the coffee industry, both at origin and destination, continues to innovate and progress, it is a privilege to collaborate with forward_thinking producers like Tadesse. His approach to processing has given this coffee a remarkable level of complexity and texture—vibrant, juicy, and unforgettable.