The Qabballe Natural is produced at the Raro Nensebo washing station in Uraga, Guji, which falls under the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. This area is oftentimes mistakenly known as Sidamo Guji, but instead should be known only as Guji Zone or East-Guji on its own. The approximately 15 farmers that deliver cherry to this washing station, come from the ‘kebele’ or village known as Raro Majoo, have between 2.5 and 3 Ha of land and their farms sit at an elevation of between 2,100 and 2,350 m.a.s.l. These producers generally grow and this lot is primarily comprised of the 74110 and 74112 varieties, which are local varieties selected for their production and disease resistance. The word Qabballe means “cold” in Amharic and was given that name due to the cold climate from these high elevation farms that contributed cherry.
This coffee was processed by Sookoo Coffee, which is run by Ture Waji, also known as “The King of Guji”! While this particular lot comes from Uraga, Ture and his company Sookoo Coffee also have another drying station in Shaakkiso. Both drying stations currently only produce natural coffees, but washed coffees are in the plans for upcoming harvests. Ture has strong connections to the land, its community and farmers, as he grew up in the region. After studying, he started as an export and farm manager at his cousin’s farm and company Mormora, and then later at Guji Highlands Coffee. Thanks to the trade and coffee liberalization in Ethiopia, he was able to start Sookoo Coffee (formerly known as Dambi Uddo), building his first drying station and exporting his first coffee under his own brand in 2018.
