Almaz Teklu, a mother of five, farms in Chelchelie — a small village in the Gedeb district, just south of Yirgacheffe. Her 2.6-hectare farm surrounds her home, shaded by Acacia and Sudan Teak (Cordia Africana) trees. Within this canopy grow heirloom sub-varieties known locally as Kumie, Diga, and Wilsho — landraces that have adapted over generations to the Gedeo highlands. Almaz’s work is guided by care, patience, and the quiet rhythm of daily life on the farm.

Chelchelie lies in the Gedeb district of Ethiopia’s Gedeo Zone — a highland region that marks the southern boundary of the Yirgacheffe appellation. Sitting at 2,050 meters, it’s an area known for fertile soils, dense vegetation, and long, slow cherry maturation. This unique environment, together with traditional smallholder farming, produces coffees of remarkable clarity and balance.

Specialty coffee is more than just a flavor profile, it is a fairer way of doing business. Farmers producing specialty lots are paid higher premiums compared to the volatile commodity market, rewarding them for their expertise rather than just their volume.

At Taraba, we take this commitment a step further. We donate 12% of our profits from these sales directly back to the farmer.

It is a deliberate cycle: by investing in the farmer’s future, we ensure the continued excellence of the coffee in your cup. It’s an investment in quality that reflects back on all of us.