Chelbesa Washing Station is found in Gedeb at 2100 masl, in the celebrated Yirgacheffe region of south-eastern Ethiopia. Yirgacheffe translates as the ‘land of many springs’, and the area’s unique combination of topography, altitude and water sources, matched with traditional growing and processing practices, creates the perfect conditions for growing their world famous coffees. The station purchases coffee from over 600 local farmers, many of whom are multi-generational smallholders growing indigenous Ethiopian varietals on tiny plots of 0.5-2 hectares. The farms are all located within a 40 minute walking distance of the station.
Chelbesa is operated by SNAP Coffee, an Ethiopian exporter founded in Addis Ababa in 2008 with a focus on quality, education and environmental stewardship. Alongside investing in consistent processing, SNAP works closely with producers throughout the season, sharing knowledge and improving farming and processing practices. They also support local communities, with education initiatives, infrastructure investments and long-term plans to improve access to healthcare throughout the surrounding coffee-growing villages.
Seasonal buying is about seeing coffee as a crop not a commodity, buying in harmony with the growing seasons to enjoy coffee at its best. This kind of buying has always been the backbone of our business and it’s something we’ve improved and refined every year.
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