Basha Bekele

Basha Bekele is a dedicated coffee producer operating in the Bensa district of the Sidama region in southern Ethiopia. His work is defined by a deep commitment to his local community, a trait he attributes to the influence of his father. Beyond his own agricultural efforts, Bekele acts as a central figure for local coffee production, coordinating with over 126 registered outgrowers to process and export high-quality lots. His infrastructure includes multiple drying stations, most notably the Bombe station, which serves as a hub for the surrounding smallholder farmers.

Bekele’s approach to coffee production is rooted in both tradition and modern connectivity. While he grew up immersed in his family’s coffee heritage and inherited land from his grandfather, he has actively modernized his operations since 2018. He has been noted for his use of digital platforms like Telegram and Facebook to research best practices in processing and to connect with international markets. This blend of traditional knowledge and contemporary technical application has allowed him to elevate the quality of the coffee produced by his group.

The coffees associated with Basha Bekele are primarily grown at high altitudes, often ranging from 1,700 to 2,490 meters above sea level. These elevations, combined with the region's specific microclimates, contribute to the dense, flavor-rich beans that characterize his output. He works with local heirloom varieties, such as the 74158 selection, which are prized for their cup quality and resilience. The processing is predominantly natural, where cherries are hand-picked, floated for density, and dried on raised African beds for extended periods—sometimes up to 28 days—to achieve precise moisture levels.

In practice, the Basha Bekele label represents a collaborative effort between his own 12-hectare farm and the surrounding smallholders in sub-villages like Badagalo and Murago. By managing the drying and hulling processes at his own facilities, such as the mill in Bombe, Bekele maintains strict quality control over the final product before it is exported from Addis Ababa. This vertical integration ensures that the specific characteristics of the Bensa terroir are preserved throughout the supply chain.

For roasters and consumers, Basha Bekele’s coffees are celebrated for their distinct sensory profiles. They are frequently described as having a sparkling, clean acidity with notes of tropical fruits like pineapple and mango, alongside floral aromatics, citrus, and occasionally a unique red wine or berry-like sweetness. These attributes have earned his lots high scores in specialty coffee circles, often reaching or exceeding 87.5 points on the SCA scale, making them highly sought after by specialty roasters globally.

Beyond the cup, Bekele’s impact is felt in the social development of the Bensa region. His commitment to his community is evidenced by tangible contributions, such as the construction of a church in the village of Bombe, built with the support of his father. This holistic approach to coffee production—balancing agricultural excellence with community investment—has established Basha Bekele as a respected name in the Ethiopian specialty coffee sector, representing the potential of smallholder-led, high-quality production.