Ethiopia Metu

Tasting Notes: Vanilla, Honey, Toast

Several Smallholder Farmers | Region: Illubabor, Ethiopia | Varietal: Ethiopia Landraces | Mill/Washing Station: Metu Washing Station | Importer: Red Fox Coffee Merchants | Processing: Washed | Altitude: 2,000–2,100 MASL

Our average cupping score: 85.5

About the Producers

Nestled in Ethiopia’s highlands, the Illubabor zone is a fertile, underdeveloped gem. With its temperate climate (20.7°C average) and abundant rainfall , the land thrives — rolling hills cradle steep river valleys and waterlogged plains. Reaching Illubabor requires a flight to Addis Ababa, then a 30-minute hop to Metu, the regional capital. From there, a bumpy journey on paved and dirt roads leads to the Metu washing station, operational since 2015. Here, 300–400 tons of coffee are processed annually — washed, pulped, fermented, and dried with meticulous care. Each batch is tracked by origin, ensuring traceability from farm to export.

What makes this coffee stand out

Oftentimes in East African countries such as Ethiopia, farmers will grow coffee on their small plots of land, sometimes having less than 100-200 trees per farmer. It is common for farmers to sell their coffees to a central mill to recieve payment as their yield is too small to be exported as a single lot. This process ensures payment for the farmers, and results in a beautiful representation of coffees from various regions in Ethiopia. 

Pour over recipe:

Ratio: 18g coffee, 274g water | Grind: Medium-coarse | Water: 200F

0:00 60 g bloom, gentle
0:45 200 g medium height, create agitation
(just before bed dries) 274 very gentle, very slow

Target brew time 3:15