THREE MARKS - Wako Jegso | Ethiopia - Natural - 74110, Kurume

The Project

Wako Jegso’s farm is located in Halo Bariti kebele at 2100 m.a.s.l and is part of the Lemlem Ejersa farmer group.

Wako and his family grow 74110 and Kurume coffee, but also cultivate fruit trees and practise beekeeping on the same land.

A father of 18 children (10 daughters and 8 sons), Wako inherited the land from his father and has continued the family’s coffee farming tradition. For many years, he sold his cherries to local coffee processing stations, though the income was modest and not very rewarding.

However, with proper support and market access, Wako’s farm holds great potential for producing specialty coffee that reflects the rich heritage and biodiversity of Yirgacheffe.

The Coffee

The coffee is processed using the natural method: Coffee cherries are picked at the ripest stage of harvest hand sorted.

Then placed on raised beds to dry for up to 3 weeks. Careful attention is paid through the drying phase with constant movement to promote good airflow.

The coffee is then bagged and labelled, and stored under shade until dry milling.