Alo Bona Zuria Gute Station - Washed Landrace - Ethiopia

Whole Bean
Roast: Light
Recommended Rest: 4-6 weeks from roast date
Tasting Notes: yellow peach, vanilla, barley tea

Origin Details

Region: Bona Zuria, Sidama, Ethiopia
Elevation: 2100-2300masl
Producer: Bona Zuria Outgrowers, Alo Gute Station
Process: Washed
Variety: 74158, 74112, 74110

ABOUT THIS COFFEE AND PRODUCER

We are excited to release another coffee from Tamiru Tadesse and Alo Coffee. This time, it is coming to us from the Gute Station in the Bona Zuria zone. The Gute station is Alo Coffee’s largest station in operation and processes coffee from smallholder producers in the surrounding area. This specific lot was produced using a traditional washed process that showcases the unique terroir of the Bona Zuria zone that is a little different than the classic citrus and black tea notes of most washed Ethiopian coffee.

WHY WE SELECTED THIS COFFEE

This Alo coffee comes from the Gute station, another new station for us and one we were excited to taste. Washed Ethiopian landraces are some of our favorite coffees because of how expressive and distinctive they can be, though they often lean toward bright citrus acidity and florals.

This one presents a bit differently. Instead of citrus, the profile is centered on sweet stonefruit with a creamy, syrupy body with spiced florals in a way that reminds us of vanilla. The cup is round, gentle, and carried by a deep sweetness rather than acidity.

As it cools, the finish becomes especially interesting, shifting into something similar to barley tea, somewhere close to a roasted oolong, with a subtle rice-like note that lingers.

We have found that this coffee has a pleasant round profile that works well in espresso as well. The lower acidity and overall sweetness make it very balanced and approachable, and it offers a nice counterpoint to some of the brighter coffees we tend to release.