Ethiopia Guji (Medium Roast)

Nestled in the beautiful, mountainous highlands of Uraga Woreda in Guji region, Siko is a small area located just before reaching Solomo town. Over the years, Siko has gained a distinguished reputation for producing some of the finest coffees in Uraga. The area's high altitude, fertile soil, ample rainfall, and expert processing methods consistently yield outstanding results. 

The Alemayehu Sali Washing and Drying Station is located in Siko Village, where it is run and managed by Alemayehu Sali himself. Over the years, he has specialized in processing both washed and natural coffees, becoming a key figure in the village’s coffee development. Together with his brother, Alemayehu has been operating in Siko for over seven years, establishing what is considered the first wet mill in the area. The region is characterized by semi-forest vegetation, and local farmers also grow maize, barley, sorghum, and enset also know as false banana. Siko's biodiversity is remarkable, with indigenous tree species blanketing the landscape.  

Approximately 564 farmers deliver their carefully handpicked red cherry to this wet mill, harvesting in the morning and delivering in the afternoon for pulping. 

Farmers are fortuitously located in Guji, a coffee growing region that was once part of Yirgacheffe but whose microclimate produces such unique coffee, that it was allocated as its own coffee growing region. Farming methods in the region remain largely traditional. Guji farmers typically intercrop their coffee plants with other food crops. This method is common among smallholders because it maximizes land use and provides food for their families.  In addition to remaining traditionally intercropped, most farms are also organic-by-default. Farmers typically use very few—if any—fertilizers or pesticides. Most farm work is done manually by the immediate family.