Ethiopia Idido

From Ethiopia’s Yirgacheffe region, Idido delivers vibrant Blackberry, soft Sweet Cream, and a subtle Pine finish. Grown by smallholder farmers in a remote, high-elevation community, this coffee reflects both the clarity of place and the dedication of the producers who bring it to life.

Idido is a high-elevation community in Ethiopia’s famed Yirgacheffe region, where farmers cultivate coffee between 1,960 and 2,090 meters above sea level. The area is known for its rich heritage and exceptional growing conditions, with distinct wet and dry seasons that allow coffee to thrive without the use of fertilizers or pesticides. Smallholders often intercrop their plots with native plants such as the false banana tree, which naturally provides shade and nutrients to the soil.

Reaching Idido requires determination. After flying from Addis Ababa to Hawassa, it takes hours of driving and dirt-road travel to reach the washing station, with farms scattered across steep, mountainous terrain. During harvest, cherries are carried by motorcycle, horse, or donkey, sometimes through muddy, impassable roads during the rainy season. Despite these challenges, farmers deliver ripe cherries that undergo careful sorting, pulping, and fermentation before drying slowly on raised beds.

The Idido washing station is a cornerstone of the community, ensuring meticulous processing and distributing organic compost to farmers who deliver whole cherries. While families here often face limited access to resources like clean water, electricity, or schools, many young people choose to remain, carrying forward the traditions of the Gedeo culture. This commitment sustains one of Ethiopia’s most celebrated coffee origins, where generations of farmers continue to nurture a legacy of clarity, vibrancy, and connection in every cup.