Bensa Shantawane (Natural) - Ethiopia

Lunke Zegeye Dayechew is dedicated to environmentally friendly farming practices, using natural materials and avoiding pesticides and chemicals in agricultural production. He enforces strict quality control measures at his farm, where red cherries are carefully sorted upon arrival to remove immature and over-ripened ones before pulping. 

The cherries are pulped within six hours of harvesting and dried on special raised African beds to ensure even airflow for optimal drying. To prevent mould and fermentation, the cherries are regularly turned during drying. Once properly dried, the outer skin and flesh are mechanically removed, and the green coffee is allowed to "rest" before being exported.

The natural forests in the area are not just a scenic backdrop, but a vital local food source. They particularly provide the Ventricosum plant, also known as 'Enset’ or ‘false banana,' which is abundant in the Sidama region. Enset, a large non-woody plant, plays a significant role in the local food supply, highlighting the importance of preserving these natural ecosystems for sustainable agriculture.

• Region: Sidamo
• Country: Ethiopia
• Elevation: 2,100 masl
• Variety: JARC 74167
• Process: Natural