Gara Agena

Gara Agena Washing Station is located near the Geta River in the Bura district of Sidama, one of Ethiopia’s most renowned coffee-growing regions. The station processes coffee from nearby smallholder farmers who carefully harvest ripe cherries during the season.For this lot, cherries are first sorted and immersed in water to remove floaters before being soaked for approximately eight hours. They are then depulped and fermented for around 36 hours, allowing the remaining mucilage to break down.

After fermentation, the parchment coffee is washed and transferred to raised drying beds, where it dries slowly for about 21 days in well-ventilated, shaded conditions.This coffee is produced using a special “Premium” preparation, a method commonly used in Ethiopia to highlight the highest-quality cherries. The fruit is sourced from a limited number of smallholder farmers and selected with strict quality standards: approximately 90% perfectly ripe red cherries, with only small percentages of slightly underripe or overripe fruit.

These lots are processed separately from other coffees and are typically produced in very limited quantities. In many cases, cherries for these premium lots are harvested and processed as day lots, meaning the coffee comes from cherries picked on the same day to maintain consistency and freshness.The careful selection and extended drying process result in a clean, expressive cup profile, showcasing the vibrant character that Sidama coffees are known for.