Ardent Shanta Golba collaboration / Ethiopia
FROM FARM TO YOU #01
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The Bensa region in the Sidama highlands of Ethiopia. At an altitude of over 2,000m, this region is known as one of the most suitable areas for growing coffee in Ethiopia. The rich soil, clean air, and large temperature differences between day and night give the coffee a complex and bright flavor.
The specialty coffee we're introducing today is a special cup born from an encounter with Ashenafi, the CEO of Ardent, a company founded in this area. In addition to improving the quality of the beans, Ashenafi is also committed to creating local jobs and providing educational support to farmers, striving to develop the entire region sustainably through coffee. Iwase strongly sympathizes with this approach, and the two have developed a long-standing friendship as friends and comrades. This collaboration is the fruition of this shared passion. REC's roasting and brewing techniques will fully express the delicious flavor of these beans, which are characterized by their fruity notes.
This cup of coffee, brewed through the careful work of the maker, feels firmly rooted in the spirit of "connections between people" that Ashenafi holds dear.
FROM FARM TO YOU
At REC COFFEE, we visit farms around the world and purchase coffee beans after speaking directly with producers.
The wind of the land, the scent of the soil, and the thoughts of the maker.
We take all of these factors into consideration and select only the coffee that we feel we want to deliver.
However, the background and attention to detail are usually difficult to convey to customers.
"FROM FARM TO YOU" is a project created to bring these stories, which were previously difficult to see, to life in a visible form by focusing on one farm and one story.
It's not just a product, it's the very idea that REC COFFEE holds dear.
A cup of coffee begins with a reunion with a producer
Our encounter with Ethiopian producer Ashenafi Agaw goes back more than 10 years.
At the time, Iwase, the representative of REC COFFEE, was aiming to compete in the world championships as a barista and was strongly attracted to Ethiopian coffee.
During one of these trips overseas, I met Ashenafi before he founded Ardent Coffee.
After some time, they met again at the World Championships in Boston.
When Iwase heard about Ashenafi's new project, Ardent Coffee Exporters, which he had launched in Ethiopia, he was deeply moved by his aspirations and felt a strong desire to deliver Ashenafi's coffee to Japanese customers.
In 2019, around the same time that REC COFFEE began roasting its own coffee in earnest, we began purchasing Ardent coffee for the first time.
From then until today, we have walked together, building trust in each other.
Ardent is an exporter that handles the entire process from cultivation to refining, with its own washing stations in prime production areas throughout Ethiopia.
Together with neighboring farmers, we continue to explore the infinite possibilities of Ethiopian coffee.
Local life and the role of the station
Farmers arrive one after another at the Ardent washing station, carrying cherries on the backs of donkeys.
In Ethiopia, many families grow coffee in their own gardens.
It is common to see banana trees planted alongside coffee trees around homes.
Ardent has set up stations across the country where nearby farmers can bring in their cherry harvest and exchange it for cash.
The station is also an important place that supports the lives of the local community.
The cherries that are brought in are first sorted by hand, one by one, by female workers.
Only the ripe fruit is separated and carefully sorted based on color and condition.
During the washed process, the heavy lifting is done by male workers, and the entire team works together to complete the process.
Drying is done slowly with the help of the sun and wind.
In the evening, cover the plants with a cloth to prevent night and morning dew and prevent uneven drying.
It's these little touches that make Ardent coffee a special cup of coffee.
Trust between people creates quality
Ashenafi values "nurturing relationships between people."
He refers to the neighboring farmers and workers as "We are family."
The people who work at the washing station are not just coworkers, but are connected by a bond that feels like a family.
The farmers spoke with pride:
"We believe that all the cherries we produce are G1 (the highest grade). It is Ardent's role to properly process them and deliver them to the world. We want them to be responsible in this regard, and we are responsible for the cherries we bring in."
True to its word, Ardent responsibly refines the cherries it receives and continues to work with growers to protect their quality.
The "maker" and "deliverer" trust each other to create a single cup of coffee.
This attitude is what makes Ardent unique.
In addition to producing coffee, Ashenafi is also committed to activities that support the future of the region.
The Children's Center he founded provides a place where local children can learn, play and feel safe.
Ardent coffee has the power to make you think of others.
Behind every cup of coffee lies a wealth of smiles and strong bonds.
A cup created through a special process
Ethiopia is a particularly popular coffee among REC COFFEE's coffees.
"I want to recreate the taste that I fell in love with when I was there." This desire on Iwase's part led him to work with Ashenafi of Ardent Coffee on this special process batch.
The refining method is anaerobic fermentation.
Normally, this process tends to result in uneven distribution of the juice (must) during fermentation, which can lead to uneven fermentation of each cherry.
Therefore, we have made some improvements to reduce variations in taste and keep fermentation uniform.
The result is a drink that combines powerful flavor with a delicate and elegant aroma, and while it has the elegance of fermentation, it also has a clean, pleasant aftertaste.
This special coffee is the result of the combined experience of REC COFFEE and Ashenafi's deep knowledge of the fermentation process, and is filled with the passion of both parties.
Flavor Taste
The floral aroma and clear sweetness reminiscent of peach tea spread throughout the mouth. The robust fruitiness reminiscent of cranberry and grape lingers for a long time. This coffee has a good balance of fermentation and elegance, and is also clear.
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<Bean Information>
Country of Origin: Ethiopia Region: Bensa, Sidama, Shanta Gorba Producer: ARDENT COFFEE / Ashenafi Aagaw Variety: Native species Altitude: 1,950-2,500m
Production process: Anaerobic Natural
Let your voice be heard by producers
FROM FARM TO YOU is a project that connects "from the farm to you, and from you to the farm."
Reviews submitted on this page are also shared with the producers who actually make the coffee.
Your voice will help us create our next coffee.
Please let us know what you think of your cup!
Hand drip brewing recipe
Here are some hand drip recipes recommended by REC COFFEE. Please use them as a reference for brewing at home.
REC COFFEE's Commitment
We are extremely particular about quality in order to deliver an inspiring experience to our customers. We do not cut corners in any way, from the selection of ingredients to quality control, before delivering our products to you.