XOXO Valentine's Coffee

Coffee Story
Bekele Kechara is a producer representative for Lalisaa farmers and owns and operates two small organic 5-hectare farms that grow wild local landraces and JARC varieties near the towns of Hache and Murano in the famous growing region of Bensa Daye, Sidamo. The coffee is grown using entirely organic methods despite not achieving organic certification due to its high costs. Bekele and his wife, Mrs. Abinet Mekonnen, limit the use of chemicals for growth and instead use compost and other agricultural residues from the farm to fertilize the fields naturally, making for a healthy farm environment. Bekele selectively handpicks ripe red cherry and processes it on his farm. He lays cherry on raised beds to sundry and rakes the cherry frequently to ensure even drying. He covers Cherry during the hottest part of the day and overnight. It takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks for cherry to dry. He also meticulously differentiates the three native coffee cultivars he grows on the farm and processes them separately.