Konga Wete, Ethiopia

Yirgacheffe is a renowned coffee region for good reason. In the highlands of Gediyo, the village of Konga Wete sits at over 2,000 metres above sea level—an altitude that shapes the vibrant, layered nature of this coffee. Here, 1,890 smallholder farmers cultivate ‘garden coffee’ in their backyards, carrying forward Ethiopia’s deep tradition. Working harmoniously with the land, these farmers cultivate three prominent Jimma Agricultural Research Centre (JARC) varieties: 74110, 74112, and 74165. These trees flourish under natural shade, nourished by the Toracho River.

Amederaro Konga Washing Station is the heart of this coffee community. Established in 2018, this 2.5-hectare station is just six kilometres from Yirgacheffe town. It serves as a hub for specialised processing and forward-thinking experimentation, employing a variety of methods, including Fully Washed, Natural, Anaerobic, Supernatural, and Carbonic Maceration. With 190 shaded drying beds and 10 fermentation tanks, the station fosters adaptability while showcasing the regional coffee’s distinguished acidity and layered fruit notes.

Cherries are hand-picked and undergo careful sorting upon arrival at Amederaro Konga. They are floated in water tanks to remove defective cherries before being transferred to raised drying beds for 19 to 21 days.

The drying process requires constant supervision, particularly during the hotter parts of the day. Cherries are turned regularly for even drying, with moisture levels monitored throughout. At 10-12% moisture, they’re ready for milling. The coffee is transported to Addis Ababa for hulling, polishing, and final sorting before export in Grainpro bags.

Beyond producing quality coffee, Amederaro Konga invests in its people’s future. The washing station, owned by Amederaro Washing Station PLC—a sister company to Primrose Coffee Exporter—supports its farming community by building schools and providing educational materials for local children of farming families. Primrose Coffee has been exporting Ethiopian coffee for over two decades and, as a member of the Ethiopian Chapter of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance, is dedicated to fostering sustainable, ethical coffee production in the pursuit of excellence.

The station has earned accolades, including the African Fine Coffees Association’s Taste of Harvest award (2018, 2019) and a top-ten spot in the Ethiopia Cup of Excellence. With Amederaro Konga’s commitment to both the craft and community, this is a coffee that stands in ideal balance of tradition and innovation.