Bette Buna Guji Megadu "Kickstart" Natural

Bette Buna, which translates to 'House of Coffee,' is far more than a producer; it is a community-focused company deeply rooted in Ethiopia's coffee lands. Founded by Dawit and Hester, who took over the responsibility from Grandfather Syoum and Grandmother Emame, Bette Buna has an expanding mission from Sidama to Guji Megadu, one of the region's most remote and densely forested areas. Here, they operate their own model farm and work with local leaders to maximize the spectacular potential of the rich soil.

The Bette Buna model is focused on building sustainable opportunities. They distribute over 350,000 climate-adapted seedlings annually, providing an economic impact of over $650,000 in a region where the average household income is low. Furthermore, Bette Buna is an equal opportunity employer, providing meaningful work for marginalized groups, including people with disabilities and single mothers—a commitment that goes hand-in-hand with their exceptional, transparent supply chain that maps every individual involved in production.

Processing: The Kickstart Natural
This lot comes directly from Bette Buna’s farm in Guji Megadu. Their processing team developed a unique method they call the 'Kickstart' natural. After harvest, the ripe cherries are briefly placed in an anaerobic environment. This short 'kick' is not long enough to initiate full fermentation but is strategically timed to change the structure and concentrate the natural sugars within the cherry. This innovative step results in a lot that offers enhanced sweetness and body compared to a standard natural profile. The coffee is then traditionally dried on raised African beds and rested for a minimum of eight weeks to develop maximum complexity before final meticulous sorting and milling.

Cup score: 87. We've roasted this coffee pretty light but is does make for a funky espresso as well as a blueberry juice filter!