Ethiopia Mustefa Abakeno

Mustefa Abakeno has earned a strong reputation in the specialty coffee world through a focus on precision, transparency, and steady improvement. Farming 18 hectares in Beshasha Kebele in the Jimma zone of western Ethiopia, he cultivates his own coffee while also operating two washing stations—Hunda Oli and Kata Meduga Union—where he processes cherry from his farm alongside contributions from 36 neighboring smallholders.

Mustefa was among the first producers to adopt direct export when it became legal in 2017, beginning his own exports in 2018 and quickly establishing himself as a leader in quality-focused, transparent supply chains. Across both washed and natural lots, he relies on partial shade drying and careful temperature control, using shade netting during peak sunlight to slow drying and protect delicate aromatic compounds. This attention to detail results in coffees known for clarity, balance, and consistency. This washed lot exemplifies that approach, delivering a precise yet generous cup that remains vibrant as it cools.