Ethiopia Mustefa Abakeno

Farmlevel Story

Mustefa Abakeno has developed a stellar reputation in the coffee world by abiding by a philosophy of continuous improvement across many aspects of his life. He grows coffee on 18 hectares of land in Beshasha Kebele, a village in the Djimma zone of Oromia in Western Ethiopia. In addition to growing coffee, he also owns and manages two washing stations, Hunda Oli and Kata Meduga Union, and has raised 8 children.  He processes cherry for himself and 36 other smallholder farmers, who entrust him to represent their product to its fullest potential. He was one of the first to begin personally exporting coffee in 2018, soon after direct export became legal in Ethiopia in 2017.

He processes coffee using both natural and washed methods, drying all lots in partial shade. To ensure slower, more even drying, he carefully controls temperature and UV exposure by covering the lots with shade netting during peak sun hours. This method protects the parchment from cracking, preserving the coffee’s delicate aromatic compounds.

This particular washed lot represents the ever sought after flavor clarity that shines through from hot to cool in the cup.