Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Kurume – Berry-Dried Green Coffee (1 kg)

Origin: Kurume, Gedeo Zone, southern Ethiopia
Producer: Approximately 2,000 smallholder farmers
Growing altitude: 1,800–2,000 meters above sea level
Varieties: Heirloom
Process: Berry-dried
Harvested: 2024/2025

The Gedeo Zone in southern Ethiopia is one of the most legendary regions in the world of coffee—the heart of what the world knows as Yirgacheffe. Here, coffee grows in ancient intercropping systems, side by side with enset—the “false banana” that is the region’s staple crop—in one of Africa’s most densely populated agricultural landscapes. This micro-lot comes from the area around the village of Kurume: just over 2,000 smallholder farmers cultivate local heirloom varieties in red volcanic soil at an elevation of 1,800–2,000 meters. The harvest takes place late, from October to January—a direct result of the altitude and the slow ripening process. A detail for the curious: Kurume is not just a village, but also the name of one of the region’s most renowned local varieties.

The berries are hand-picked by the farmers’ own families, gently sorted in running water, and then sun-dried with the skin and pulp intact—a method that preserves the sugars and floral aromas that have made Gedeo beloved around the world. While many sun-dried Ethiopian coffees become jammy, fruity bombs, Kurume retains the floral elegance of the washed Yirgacheffe style—a sun-dried coffee for those who actually love washed coffee. The green coffee has a very high density, typical of coffee grown at these altitudes in Ethiopia, and responds best to a light roast, with filter brewing as the top choice. But if you’ve mastered light-roast espresso, there’s not much that beats a berry-dried Ethiopian in the cup—especially with a little milk, such as in a cappuccino or cortado.

The cup is strikingly delicate and elegant. Bergamot and jasmine dominate the aroma profile, while hibiscus adds a floral, fruity nuance. The mouthfeel is silky and light, with the clarity that only truly well-executed berry drying can provide. A light, wine-like grape note adds depth and roundness, carrying the flavor to a long, smooth finish. A green coffee for the home roaster seeking Yirgacheffe’s classic finesse in a sun-dried form—and who appreciates when a coffee manages to be both floral and generous at the same time.

This green coffee arrived at the roastery on May 13, 2026, and is from the 2024/2025 harvest.

This is a real find. We came across this lot by chance and are incredibly happy to now be able to offer it as green coffee at this price. The pricing reflects the fact that the lot is a bit older—but Ethiopian green coffee from these altitudes has such high density that it ages slowly and gracefully. The value for the money is exceptional.