Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee, is the world’s seventh-largest coffee-producing country. Musa Abalulesa and his brother Mustafa operate two farms near Beshasha, called Koya and Chanko.

Before the undergrowth was cleared for coffee, this jungle parcel—located at 2,100 MASL—served as a hideout for their father, Abalulesa, a guerrilla fighter resisting the oppressive Derg military government. After evading capture, the government placed a bounty on Abalulesa, forcing him into hiding. Nearing death, he turned to an old friend for care during his final months. To ensure his friend’s safety and well-being, Abalulesa urged him to claim he had killed him, allowing the friend to collect the bounty. After his death in 1977, the government granted land to his sons and their mother as part of an amnesty and reconciliation program.

Today, Musa farms using organic methods, cultivates coffee, avocados, and honey bees. His efforts have empowered many farmers in the region to export directly, ensuring they receive a fairer share of the value their coffee holds.

Producer: Musa Abalulesa and 21 smallholders
Region: Oma Funtule Kebele
Elevation: 2100 MASL
Varietal: 74110, 74165
Process: Washed
We taste: Asian pear, green grapes, cane sugar

*Production occurs twice a week on Wednesday and Thursday. Orders placed after 5:00pm Wednesday will be roasted and shipped during the next production cycle.

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