Origin Story
This washed Hambella Peaberry comes from the high-elevation hills of the Hambela Wamena area in Ethiopia's Guji Zone, where cool nights and rich volcanic soils give the beans their natural clarity and concentrated sweetness. Peaberry beans are a natural mutation where only one bean develops inside the coffee cherry instead of the usual two, creating a rounder, denser bean that many believe produces a more concentrated and refined cup. Only 5-10% of any harvest yields peaberries, making this a rare and sought-after selection. The washed processing method—where cherries are pulped, fermented for 36-48 hours, and dried on raised beds—creates exceptional clarity and brightness, allowing the peaberry's concentrated sweetness and structure to shine. This coffee offers a bright, clean profile with refined florals, crisp citrus, tropical notes like lime and soft green apple, and a smooth, elegant finish that showcases the best of Ethiopian washed coffee.
Producer Details
Washing Station: Hambela Wamena Washing Station
Region: Guji Zone, Hambela Wamena, Oromia, Ethiopia
Altitude: 1,600-1,800 MASL
Process: Fully Washed Peaberry Selection
Varietals: Indigenous heirloom Ethiopian varietals
Bean Type: Peaberry (single bean mutation, 5-10% of harvest)
Fermentation: 36-48 hours underwater fermentation
Harvest Season: October - January
Sustainability & Certifications
✓ Shade-Grown: Cultivated under native tree canopy in traditional coffee gardens
✓ Organic Practices: No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers used
✓ Direct Trade Partnership: Long-term relationship with Hambela cooperative, premiums paid for peaberry selection
✓ Water Management: Eco-pulpers and water recycling systems at washing stations
✓ Quality Focus: Hand-sorting to separate rare peaberry beans from regular lots
✓ Fair Wages: Premium pricing for specialty peaberry lots ensures living wages
✓ Community Investment: Cooperative funds support education, healthcare, and infrastructure
✓ Forest Protection: Coffee cultivation protects Ethiopia's endangered cloud forests
Tasting Profile
Aroma: Bright florals, refined citrus, crisp and clean
Flavor Notes: Lime, soft green apple, tropical fruits, refined floral complexity, white tea
Acidity: Bright and crisp, citrus-forward with elegant structure
Body: Medium and silky, smooth and elegant
Sweetness: Concentrated natural sweetness from peaberry density
Finish: Clean and smooth with lingering citrus and floral notes
Brewing Recommendations: Outstanding as pour-over (V60, Chemex) to showcase clarity
Why Peaberry is Special
Peaberry beans are prized by coffee enthusiasts for their concentrated flavor and unique characteristics. The single bean develops with all the nutrients that would normally be shared between two beans, creating denser, more flavorful coffee. The round shape also allows for more even roasting. Combined with Hambella's exceptional terroir and meticulous washed processing, this peaberry selection represents the pinnacle of Ethiopian specialty coffee—rare, refined, and exceptionally clean.
Traceability
This coffee is fully traceable to the Hambela Wamena Washing Station and the specific farms in the Guji Zone. We maintain detailed records including lot numbers, harvest dates, and peaberry selection notes. Each lot is cupped and scored at our Dubai facility by founder Mohamed Hamdou, and this exceptional coffee is featured in our advanced cupping sessions to demonstrate the unique characteristics of peaberry beans and Ethiopian washed processing.
At 1718 Coffee, we're committed to knowing the people behind every bean we source. Questions about this rare Peaberry Hambella's journey from Guji's highlands to your cup? We're here to share the story.
