Yaye SP Washed

Each outgrower that delivers to Yaye receives payment on delivery of their cherry, including a premium above the annual market rate set by the Ethiopian government. Farmers who are registered with the washing station also receive a second premium payment three months later or after the lot has been sold, based on what they have delivered. This usually happens around June or July (coinciding with the Ethiopian winter), which is when they would be preparing for the next harvest.

Most farm organically on plots of less than one hectare, growing coffee alongside food crops beneath native shade trees.Through Testi’s Premium Cherry Selection program, outstanding cherries are processed separately and growers receive higher payments for quality. Farmers are paid on delivery at a premium above the government-set market rate, while registered growers receive an additional payment later in the season. This reflects founder Faysel Abdosh’s belief that better returns from coffee should benefit both growers and their wider communities.

At Yaye, premium lots use 90% perfectly ripe cherries and 10% slightly overripe fruita balance Testi’s team has found enhances sweetness and cup quality. This washed lot was carefully sorted by hand and flotation, using clean water from the Gelana River.After sorting, the cherries were washed and pulped, then fermented in clean water for 48 hours. Throughout fermentation, the team monitored the breakdown of mucilage and refreshed the water as needed.

The coffee was then washed again and graded by density before drying.Drying took place on raised beds under parabolic shade for up to 21 days, with regular turning and hand-sorting to ensure even drying and remove defects. Once the coffee reached 12% moisture, it was rested in parchment until ready for milling and export. Testi’s quality control team assesses each lot, reserving the ‘premium’ label for the highest-scoring coffees.