Origin

Yirgacheffe, Gedeo Zone, Ethiopia

Coffee cultivation in Yirgacheffe, located within Ethiopia's Gedeo Zone, is intricately linked to the nation's cultural and agricultural heritage. As one of the oldest coffee-growing areas globally, the region boasts indigenous Arabica varieties that have thrived in its forests long before organised cultivation commenced. The area's altitude, ranging from 1,700 to 2,200 metres above sea level, coupled with fertile red soils, bimodal rainfall, and consistent cloud cover, creates exceptional growing conditions.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Yirgacheffe coffee began to be formally distinguished from broader Sidamo lots due to its distinct floral and fruit-toned character. Washed lots are noted for jasmine, bergamot, and citrus notes, while naturals exhibit rich stone fruit complexity. The region's washing stations, which aggregate cherries from numerous smallholder farmers, have been pivotal in establishing Yirgacheffe's global reputation over the past 60 years.

Recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Gedeo Zone reflects the integration of coffee forests, biodiversity, and local Gedeo culture. Today, Yirgacheffe remains a benchmark specialty origin, with its naturals celebrated for their complex red fruit, stone fruit, and floral character, unmatched by other regions. Primrose Coffee, founded in 2010 by Abreham Mengiste and Meseret Workneh, has been instrumental in how Project Origin and ONA Coffee engage with the region, fostering transparent relationships with smallholder communities and investing in infrastructure and education alongside their commercial sourcing efforts."