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This natural anaerobic lot comes to us from producer Shito Hailemariam of the Bona Zuria district in Sidama. The arrival samples of this offering excelled on the cupping table with notes of cane sugar, blackberry, black tea and raspberry. I was looking forward to roasting a production batch of this offering. I always have enjoyed roasting different coffees from Ethiopia. I charged our Diedrich IR-5 to 386 degrees and released 9 lbs. into the drum with 50% of heat applied. Turning point was reached at 160 degrees and 1:28 into duration. At 2:54 into duration I made my first heat adjustment and increased the burner to 75%. As the roast began to build momentum, I adjusted the airflow to 50% at 5:16. The maillard phase of the roast began 6:08 into duration at 305 degrees. Color change came on slightly awkward then smoothed out. Moving closer to the development phase of the roast I decreased the burner to 50% at 6:55 into duration and at 7:27 into duration reduced the burner to 30%. The development phase of the roast began at 9:44 into duration at 386 degrees. First crack was light and gentle to the ear. Once the roast reached first crack, I adjusted airflow moving through the drum to 100%. I experienced aromas of brown sugar and blackberry throughout development. At 11:08 into duration I made the last heat adjustment of the roast and lowered the burner to 20%. Final duration of the roast was 11:55 with an end temperature of 405 degrees and a development time ratio of 18.3%.

The production roast cupping revealed a complex cup that mirrored the results of the sample roast with notes of cane sugar, blackberry, black tea and raspberry. I weighed out 17 grams and brewed a cup using our Aeropress with a two-minute brew time with 220 grams of water. The brew was delicate with a smooth texture. The cup was fruit forward integrated with notes of black tea and cane sugar with lush balanced acidity. I weighed another 17 grams to brew another Aeropress and increased the amount of water to 238 grams. The brew had the same integration and flavor notes as the first Aeropress but had slightly less body and a thinner mouthfeel texture. Brew Notes Lush acidity with a silky, smooth delicate mouthfeel transitioning into a balanced, cohesive sweet finish highlighting notes of cane sugar, blackberry, black tea and raspberry.