Solomon Hamiso G1

Origin: Ethiopia

Process: Natural

Varieties: 74112, 74158

Importer: Sucafina

Harvest: 2023/24

Per-Kilogram green price: £10.62

Amount purchased: 120kg

Solomon Hamiso grew up on coffee farms and has been cultivating coffee on his farm his whole life. For a long time, he sold his cherry to a local wet mill. In 2020, he expanded his business to start processing cherry on his farm. By processing his own cherry, he’s adding value that’s staying on his farm and enabling him to increase his income.  Solomon and his family selectively handpick ripe, red cherry and process it on their farm. They lay cherry on raised beds and rake it frequently to ensure even drying. It takes an average of 12 days for cherry to dry.  

The Sidamo region of Southern Ethiopia holds the distinction as one of the three trademarked coffee regions of Ethiopia. Alongside Harrar and Yirgacheffe, Sidamo holds a Designation of Origin for coffee grown in the region. That's unsurprising when you consider the high altitudes of 1,550 to 2,200 meters above sea level, plentiful rainfall and fertile soil that makes the coffee grown in this region so remarkable. 

The Sidamo region is named after the indigenous ethnic group, the Sidama, who call the region their home. On Sidamo’s Eastern border lies the large regions of Arsi and Bale while to the West, Sidamo is bordered by Gamogofa. 

Sidamo lies in the path of the Great Rift Valley and thanks to this, the countryside of Sidamo is lush and green. There are several freshwater lakes that provide drinking and agricultural water and account for the densely populated nature of this region.

The Great Rift Valley spans from the northernmost tip of Ethiopia across Kenya and all the way to the southernmost region of Tanzania. It is home to some of the oldest-known fossils of humankind, which suggests its importance in the early development of humanity.

Grades in Ethiopia depend on visual inspection for defects and on cup quality. Grade 1 is considered the highest quality coffee. Grade 1 and 2 are considered specialty coffee, grades 3-9 are classified as commercial coffee. Grade 1 is free of cup faults and taints and has zero quakers.