Dehab's Diamond - Natural G1

Dehab's Diamond - Natural G1

Interview with Dehab aired at our Expo cupping in Chicago, April 2024

The Birthplace of Coffee: Kaffa, Ethiopia

Ethiopia is widely recognized as the birthplace of coffee, and the Kaffa region holds a legendary place in coffee history. According to tradition, coffee was discovered in Kaffa around the 9th century when a goat herder named Kaldi noticed his goats became energized after eating berries from a certain tree. This discovery led to coffee becoming one of the world's most beloved beverages.

The word "coffee" itself is believed to derive from "Kaffa," the region where wild coffee arabica still grows naturally in the ancient forests. For over a thousand years, these forests have been the genetic home of coffee, preserving countless heirloom varieties that exist nowhere else on Earth.

Today, the UNESCO Kaffa Forest Biosphere protects this irreplaceable coffee heritage, ensuring that the birthplace of coffee remains preserved for future generations. Dehab's farm operates within this protected zone, honoring both the ancient tradition and the ecological responsibility of coffee cultivation in its original homeland.

The Story

The farm was purchased in 1999. In 2000, Dehab's husband and his friend started working in the coffee plantation, but Dehab stayed out of it at first. The two men continued for 12 years until the partner in charge fell ill and passed away. At this time, Dehab's children were older and she was looking for work outside the home. So she took over the man's role and bought his shares. Now the farm is 27% and 73% owned between Dehab and her husband.

Dehab fell in love with the farm, farming and coffee. In every home in Ethiopia, the first meal is coffee. She remembers boiling the coffee for her mother. To get up to speed on agronomy, she employed a business consultant and an agronomist and spent two years "learning coffee." In 2014 she started managing the company. In 2015, she started exporting to Germany.

Our Focus Areas

• 100% female managed
• 27% female owned
• 60% of seasonal workers are female

The farm is in the buffer and core zones of the UNESCO Kaffa Forest biosphere, a forest protected by a United Nations program. Learn more about UNESCO biosphere reserves

Technical Specifications

Region: SWEP, Kaffa zone, Bonga woreda, Tulla kebele
Elevation: 5,900-6,000 ft / 1,800-1,880m
Land Size: 330 Hectares
Number of Outgrowers: 120 (averaging 1 hectare each)

Plantation Management: 100% Dehab Mesfin Bitewlign; 27% ownership
Environment: Plantation is within the buffer zone of the Kaffa Forest UNESCO Biosphere

Coffee Details

Varieties: Arabica heirloom bourbon (74, 74110, 74112, 74165, 75227 & 744)
Processing: Natural, dried on raised beds
Grades Available: Grade 1 or Grade 2
Screen Size: 15+
Cup Score: 86

Photos courtesy of Artisan Coffee Imports

Imported by Artisan Coffee Imports - Coffee with a Conscience (Est. 2009)