Banko Taratu / Ethiopia

Gedeb Banko Taratu is located in Gedeb district, within the Gedio zone of the Yirgacheffe area in southern Ethiopia. It is one of Ethiopia's highest-altitude coffee-growing areas, and this coffee is grown and processed at elevations of 1,900–2,300m. Annual rainfall ranges from 1,200 to 1,599mm, and the harvest runs from October to January. The varieties are indigenous heirlooms. The coffee takes its name directly from the village where it is produced.

The people of Banko Taratu live in a closely connected community, with coffee farming as their main source of income. They hold 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 pick ripe cherries by hand. This careful work ensures that only quality beans 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 bring people together and celebrate. Wherever people gather, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air as stories are shared and bonds grow stronger.

Alongside its cultural significance, coffee farming supports the livelihoods of many families in Banko Taratu. Income from coffee sales pays for education, healthcare, and other everyday needs. The success of each harvest therefore has a direct bearing on the well-being of the entire community.

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

Our processing facilities are carefully organized to produce consistently excellent coffee every year. We collect handpicked, fully ripe cherries grown on shade-grown trees by more than 500 family farms in Banko Taratu. Our dedicated processing site is operated by 130 staff members. Our company works toward vertical integration with producers in the Banko Taratu area, providing financial support, contracting opportunities, and purchases at premium prices. This reflects our ethical standards and our commitment to sustainable cultivation and production.

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

First, fully ripe cherries are picked by hand to ensure quality. They are then pulped to remove the outer skin. The beans, still coated in mucilage, are placed in fermentation tanks. This first fermentation usually lasts 48–72 hours, during which the mucilage breaks down and influences the flavor.

After washing, the beans enter a second fermentation tank for a further 12–24 hours. This stage may continue for several additional hours, allowing more complex and nuanced flavors to develop. After fermentation, the coffee is dried on African beds (raised beds) for 12–15 days to reduce its moisture content.

The two fermentation stages produce rich, layered flavors, often resulting in a fruity, floral, and vibrant profile. The washing stage further highlights the coffee's inherent qualities, creating a brighter and more refined cup. Double fermentation is favored by specialty producers seeking to create a distinctive, high-quality coffee experience.

Final preparation and sorting take place at a contracted processing and warehouse facility in the Kaliti district of Addis Ababa. The coffee is processed and graded by density and screen size, with small foreign objects and stones removed. The finished, clean coffee is packed directly into jute bags and wrapped in 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 also handles the physical loading of containers and the preparation of export documents and procedures.

Export
Transport from the warehouse to the port is handled by certified transport companies with specialized training. Drivers are qualified for this work, and shipments always travel in convoys under round-the-clock monitoring. All cargo is insured, and escorts may be provided in some cases. EDN Ethiopian Coffee Export Plc is responsible for processing and export.