This is the Ethiopia that made us fall in love with naturals in the first place. Brandywine Coffee Roasters brings us a meticulously processed natural from the Bombe kebele in Sidamo's Bensa district—a mountainous valley where coffee grows between 1,800 and 2,300 meters above sea level. The result is a cup that balances classic Ethiopian brightness with the syrupy sweetness only a perfectly executed natural process can deliver.
Producers in Bombe work tiny plots, often less than two hectares, intercropping indigenous coffee varieties with false banana trees for shade. After harvest, cherries are sun-dried on raised beds for 15 to 21 days with constant turning—a labor-intensive process that prevents mold and over-fermentation while coaxing out jammy fruit character. When you taste cherry jam, lime zest, and lemon candy in the cup, you're experiencing both terroir and craft.
Tasting Notes
Expect a full-bodied cup with pronounced sweetness. The cherry jam note dominates up front, followed by a bright pop of lime zest that lifts the mid-palate. Lemon candy sweetness rounds out the finish, leaving a clean, vibrant aftertaste. The acidity is lively but not sharp—more citrus peel than citrus juice. This is fruit-forward coffee that doesn't sacrifice clarity or balance.
Brew Methods
This coffee shines in methods that highlight its fruit complexity. Pour over (V60, Kalita Wave) brings out the lime and lemon brightness with a clean finish. Chemex emphasizes sweetness and body. For a richer, jammier cup, try French press or AeroPress with a slightly coarser grind. While it's roasted for filter methods, adventurous espresso drinkers will find a vibrant, fruit-bomb shot with the right dialing-in.
About Brandywine Coffee Roasters
Brandywine is known for sourcing exceptional naturals and roasting them with precision to showcase origin character without overwhelming the bean's inherent qualities.
The Bigger Picture
Coffee cultivation in Bombe faces real challenges. Many farmers have replaced coffee with khat and eucalyptus—crops that demand less care but deplete water tables and threaten native forests. Buying coffees like this one supports producers who maintain traditional agricultural knowledge and preserve Ethiopia's coffee heritage. The indigenous heirloom varieties grown here have been cultivated for thousands of years, and they're irreplaceable.
Our team at Clive can help you dial in the perfect grind size, recommend water ratios, and pair this coffee with brewing equipment that brings out its best qualities. Whether you're new to Ethiopian naturals or a seasoned coffee explorer, we're here to make sure every cup is exceptional.