Mustefa Abalulessa, Ethiopia

About this coffee

In 2017, changes to Ethiopia’s coffee trade laws made it easier for producers to obtain export licences and sell directly to customers like Seven Seeds. Mustefa Abalulessa was one of the first to do so. After meeting him at origin in 2018, Seeds began purchasing coffee directly from Mustefa in 2021 and has continued to do so every year since.These changes have helped build stronger relationships with smaller exporters, cut through bureaucracy and improve pricing transparency. There are over two million smallholder coffee farmers in Ethiopia, but there’s only one Mustefa Abalulessa. Considered an industry pioneer and community leader in his hometown, he supports the local coffee industry through seed distribution and guidance for local producers. This year’s lot is a classic Jimma coffee, bursting with big stone fruit flavours, refined florals and cleansing acidity. The team is delighted to share this coffee once again.