Over a number of years the region of Aricha has developed a distinguished reputation for fine coffees, producing some of the most sought-after microlots in world. The combination of high altitude (up to 2,200m in some areas), fertile soil, consistent and plentiful rains, and an abundance of local knowledge are all contributing factors to the high status of Yirgacheffe coffees.

‘Supernatural’ is a new processing method which augments the traditional natural sun-drying process by increasing opportunity for controlled aerobic fermentation during drying.

In traditional Ethiopian specialty natural processing, cherries are spread in a thin layer over a raised bed and dried in indirect or direct sunlight. For supernatural, cherries spread in a thick layer on racks in a semi-permeable box, restricting access to sunlight while allowing limited airflow and oxygenation. This extends the overall drying time and increases the natural fermentation of the latent sugars in the cherries over the course of the drying period.

In order to ensure consistency, prevent over-fermentation, and avoid mould formation, it is essential that the conditions are strictly monitored throughout. Temperature, Brix and moisture readings are recorded periodically and small adjustments to airflow and ambient temperature are made accordingly.

Once the optimum moisture content has been reached (around 12.5%) the cherries are rested in a cool environment prior to secondary processing (hulling, grading, sorting, handpicking and bagging in Grainpro for export).

This supernatural processed Aricha lot 0005 is burst with peach, green apple that transforms into passion fruit and finishing with sweet orange blossoms.