Banko Taratu / Ethiopia

Gedeb Banko Taratu is located in Gedeb woreda, within the Gedeo Zone of the Yirgacheffe region in southern Ethiopia. It is one of Ethiopia’s highest-elevation coffee-growing areas, with this coffee grown and processed at elevations ranging from 1,900 to 2,300 meters above sea level. The area receives 1,200–1,599 mm of rainfall annually, and the harvest season runs from October through January. The coffee consists of indigenous heirloom varieties. Its name comes directly from the village of Banko Taratu.

The people of Banko Taratu live in a close-knit community where coffee farming is the primary source of income. They have a deep respect for the land and use traditional farming methods passed down through generations. Harvesting is a community-wide effort, with families and neighbors gathering to handpick ripe cherries. This careful work ensures that only high-quality cherries are selected.

Coffee lies at the heart of social life in Banko Taratu. It is more than a cash crop—it is also a way to connect and celebrate. At social gatherings, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air as stories are shared and bonds are strengthened.

Beyond its cultural significance, coffee farming supports the livelihoods of many families in Banko Taratu. Income from coffee sales helps pay for education, healthcare, and other essentials. The success of each harvest is therefore directly tied to the well-being of the entire community.

For the people of Banko Taratu, coffee is far more than a beverage or commodity: it is a symbol of tradition, community, and prosperity.

Our processing facility has been carefully designed to produce consistently exceptional coffee year after year. We collect ripe, handpicked cherries grown under shade by more than 500 family-run farms in Banko Taratu. Our dedicated processing site is operated by a team of 130 staff members. We are committed to vertical integration with producers in the Banko Taratu area, providing financial support, contract work opportunities, and premium prices for their coffee. These efforts reflect our ethical standards and our commitment to sustainable cultivation and production.

The double-fermentation process used for this coffee is a specialized method that develops greater flavor complexity through two distinct fermentation stages.

First, only fully ripe cherries are handpicked to ensure quality. They are then pulped to remove the skin, and the beans—still coated in mucilage—are placed in fermentation tanks. This initial fermentation typically lasts 48–72 hours, allowing the mucilage to break down and influence flavor development.

After washing, the beans are transferred to a second fermentation tank for an additional 12–24 hours. This stage may continue for several more hours, encouraging a more complex and nuanced flavor profile. After fermentation, the beans are dried on African raised beds for 12–15 days until they reach the appropriate moisture level.

The two-stage fermentation produces a rich, layered cup that often displays fruity, floral, and vibrant characteristics. The washed process further highlights the coffee’s intrinsic quality, creating a brighter and more refined flavor. Double fermentation is favored by specialty coffee producers seeking to create a distinctive, high-quality coffee experience.

Final preparation and sorting take place at a contracted processing and warehousing facility in the Kaliti district of Addis Ababa. The coffee is processed and categorized by density and screen size, with small foreign materials and stones removed. The finished, clean coffee is packed directly into jute bags lined with Ecotact plastic bags. Once packing is complete, reference samples are taken for evaluation and cupping before the coffee is shipped to its designated destination. The dry mill is also responsible for physically loading the container and preparing the documents and procedures required for export.

Export
Transportation from the warehouse to the port is handled by specialized, certified transport companies. Drivers are qualified for this work, and shipments travel in convoys under 24-hour monitoring. All cargo is insured, and escorts may be provided when necessary. EDN Ethiopian Coffee Export Plc is responsible for processing and export.