Ayla Washing Station

The Ayla Washing Station, established in 2018 by Faysel Abdosh, represents a significant milestone for Testi Specialty Coffee as the company's first processing facility in the Sidama region. Located in the Bombe kebele of the Bensa woreda, the station is named after Mr. Faysel’s niece. Its strategic placement near the Bonera River provides the essential water resources required for high-quality washed processing, while the surrounding Bombe hills contribute to the unique microclimate that defines the coffee's character.

In the context of Ethiopian coffee, the washing station acts as the primary unit of traceability. Rather than individual farms, which are often small plots averaging 0.5 hectares, the station aggregates cherries from hundreds of independent outgrowers. At Ayla, approximately 800 to 900 farmers deliver their hand-picked, ripe cherries to be processed. This collective model allows smallholders to access the specialty market, ensuring that their high-altitude harvests—grown at elevations between 1,950 and 2,000 meters—are handled with the precision required for export.

The coffee varieties processed at Ayla primarily consist of JARC-released selections, such as 74112 and 74158, alongside indigenous landrace varieties. The high elevation and cool temperatures of the Bensa district facilitate a slow maturation process for the coffee cherries, which results in denser beans and a more complex, sweeter cup profile. The station is well-regarded for producing coffees with notable floral, peach, and bergamot notes, which have become hallmarks of the Sidama region's output.

Beyond its role as a processing facility, Ayla functions as a center for community development. Testi Specialty Coffee has integrated social responsibility into its operations, investing in local infrastructure to improve the quality of life for the contributing farmers. These initiatives have included the construction of schools for local children, the implementation of water projects to ensure access to clean water, and efforts to connect local homes to the electricity grid.

Operationally, the station is managed under the broader umbrella of Testi Specialty Coffee, a family-run enterprise. As the company has expanded, Faysel Abdosh has brought his sons and nephew into key leadership roles to oversee commercial operations. This family-oriented management style ensures continuity and a commitment to maintaining the high standards that have made Ayla one of the most recognized stations in the Sidama Zone.

For the roaster and the consumer, the Ayla tag signifies a commitment to both quality and transparency. By sourcing from a specific, well-managed station like Ayla, roasters can trace the coffee back to a defined group of producers in the Bombe kebele. This level of detail is essential in the specialty coffee industry, as it bridges the gap between the remote, high-altitude farms of Ethiopia and the global market, ensuring that the efforts of the smallholder farmers are recognized and rewarded.