Alo Coffee

Highlights

“Alo Coffee began with a big idea and a brave step forward. After years working in coffee as a university teacher and electrical engineer, Tamiru Tadesse saw how often quality and producer effort went unrewarded; inspired by Ethiopia's first Cup of Excellence in 2020, he and his wife Messi built something of their own in their home village of Alo, in Bensa, Sidama. His very first Cup of Excellence submission, in 2021, took Ethiopia's top honour. Alo is now known for leading-edge washed coffees, especially in drying, and this lot is the clearest case: a careful two-phase extended dry wash, partially dried, rested in cool conditions, then finished slowly, which leaves remarkable fruit and complexity.”