Yohannes Yoyo Natural Gr. 1

Yohannes Yoyo inherited his farm from his father in 1980. Today, he is proud to have been producing coffee for more than 30 years. He and his wife work together to support their family with their coffee production. Their farm, Meko Nisa, is located at a lofty 1,900 meters above sea level. The warm days and cool nights at this altitude provide the ideal conditions for cultivating sweet, dense cherry.

They cultivate Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC) varieties on Meko Nisa farm. The JARC is responsible for developing many of the varieties that flourish across Ethiopia today. JARC was established in 1967 and has been developing and sharing new coffee varieties ever since. The center also provides agricultural extension training to help farmers learn the correct cultivation methods for these newer varieties.

Yohannes and his wife selectively handpick ripe, red cherry and process it on their farm. They lay cherry on raised beds to sun dry. Yohannes and his wife rake cherry frequently to ensure even drying. It takes approximately 18 to 22 days for cherry to dry. Once dry, they place dried cherry in bags and store it in a warehouse on the farm for approximately 1 month before transporting it to the dry mill. 

The Sidama (sometimes referred to as Sidamo) region of Southern Ethiopia holds the distinction as one of the three trademarked coffee regions of Ethiopia. Alongside Harrar and Yirgacheffe, Sidama holds a Designation of Origin for coffee grown in the region. That's unsurprising when you consider the high altitudes of 1,550 to 2,200 meters above sea level, plentiful rainfall and fertile soil that makes the coffee grown in this region so remarkable. 

The Sidama region is named after the indigenous ethnic group, the Sidama, who call the region their home. On Sidama’s Eastern border lies the large regions of Arsi and Bale while to the West, Sidama is bordered by Gamogofa. 

Sidamo lies in the path of the Great Rift Valley and thanks to this, the countryside of Sidama is lush and green. There are several freshwater lakes that provide drinking and agricultural water and account for the densely populated nature of this region.

The Great Rift Valley spans from the northernmost tip of Ethiopia across Kenya and all the way to the southernmost region of Tanzania. It is home to some of the oldest-known fossils of humankind, which suggests its importance in the early development of humanity.

Grades in Ethiopia depend on visual inspection for defects and on cup quality. Grade 1 is considered the highest quality coffee. Grade 1 and 2 are considered specialty coffee, grades 3-9 are classified as commercial coffee. Grade 1 is free of cup faults and taints and has zero quakers.