This lot is the result of the dedication of the 500 smallholder farmers from Guji region deliver their cherry to Hadeso washing station. The Guji region lies approximately 300 to 400 km south of Addis Ababa in the Guji Zone of the Oromia Region. The Guji region has a long genealogy. In 2002, Guji itself detached from Yirgacheffe, which had previously been folded in with the Sidamo name. The Guji region, which was created in 2002, takes its name from the Oromo people, a tribe who have farmed coffee on the land for generations.  

Coffee from Guji was once lumped in with coffees from all over the Yirgacheffe region. Before Yirgacheffe was its own region, those coffees were blended with coffee from a wide geographical area that encompassed much of central-south Ethiopia under the grade “Sidamo”. Despite its long journey, Guji coffees are widely recognized as distinct from both Yirgacheffe and Sidamo coffee thanks to the unique local varieties and microclimates. 

Farming methods in Guji remain largely traditional. Guji farmers typically intercrop their coffee plants with other food crops. This method is common among smallholders because it maximizes land use and provides food for their families.  

In addition to remaining traditionally intercropped, most farms are also traditional and organic-by-default. Farmers in Guji typically use very few—if any—fertilizers or pesticides. Most farm work is done manually and very few tasks are mechanized, even during processing. 

Due to the size of most plots, coffee is typically handpicked by landowners and their family. 

All coffee is selectively hand-harvested before being delivered to Guji Hadeso washing station. At the washing station, coffee is sorted to remove damaged or underripe cherry and is then delivered to the pulpers to be pulped typically within 6 to 8 hours after harvesting to prevent further natural fermentation. After pulping, coffee is fermented in tanks for 36 to 48 hours. During this process, water is frequently replaced.  

Once fermentation is complete the parchment is thoroughly washed and is then graded in washing channels, until mucilage is completely removed. 

After washing, the coffee is delivered to raised beds to dry under parabolic shade net for 5 to 7 days until moisture content reaches 11-12%. During this time, the coffee is regularly turned and hand sorted several times to remove any damaged or discolored beans.  

Grades in Ethiopia depend on visual inspection for defects and on cup quality. Grade 1 is considered the highest quality coffee. Grade 1 and 2 are considered specialty coffee, grades 3-9 are classified as commercial coffee. Grade 1 is free of cup faults and taints and has zero quakers.