Tariku Kare, Hammerhand Coffee (Whole Bean, 12oz)

In the heart of Nensebo woreda, lies Refisa washing station. This station purchases from a total of 593 farmers delivering red cherry from Refisa, Roricho, Bulga and Riripa villages. 

The story of the washing station's owner, Tariku Kare, is one of the success that comes when hard work and perseverance collide with opportunity. Tariku was born in Bombe and, at 15 years old, began working as a cherry sorter for a local cooperative. He worked his way up the chain—first receiving a promotion to wash coffee in the channels, and then when a man from Awassa opened a washing station in Nansebo, he was tapped to manage. Market disruptions led that owner to bankruptcy so Tariku and 17 other workers at the washing station formed a company and opened a new washing—which Tariku managed. Later, he opened a washing station of his very own to supply coffee to the international market. Once that mill in Nansebo was stabilized and had enough producers contributing cherry, he returned to his hometown of Bombe and built another washing station there. Tariku pays a premium over local prices for ripe red cherry and works hard to incentivize farmers to deliver cherry to his washing stations each year.

Producer: 593 smallholder farmers
Region: Guji, Ethiopia
Varietals: 74158, 74165
Altitude, 6,500 ft
Process: Washed
Tasting Notes: Peach Tea, Pink Lemonade, Melon, Caramel