Meselech Tube

Meselech Tube is a dedicated coffee producer operating in the Bensa district of the Sidama region, a high-altitude area renowned for producing some of Ethiopia's most complex and sought-after coffees. She manages a small farm, typically cited between 3 and 3.5 hectares, known as Shanteweyne (or Shantawene) Farm. Her entry into coffee farming dates back to the 1990s, when she inherited the land from her father, continuing a multi-generational tradition of cultivation that remains the backbone of the Ethiopian coffee industry.

Like many smallholder farmers in the region, Meselech operates a family-run business. Her daily operations are supported by her adult children, reflecting the labor-intensive nature of small-scale coffee production. The farm is characterized by a polyculture approach, where coffee trees are intercropped with various other plants, including enset (false banana), avocado, mango, and timber trees. This traditional agroforestry method provides essential shade for the coffee, helps maintain soil health, and offers supplemental food and income for the family.

The coffee grown on Meselech’s farm consists of heirloom varieties, including those cataloged by the Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC) in the 1970s, alongside local landrace varieties. These plants thrive at high elevations, typically ranging from 1,950 to 2,030 meters above sea level. The harvest season generally occurs between November and January, during which Meselech and her family perform selective hand-picking to ensure only the ripest red cherries are harvested, a critical step for achieving high cup quality.

Following the harvest, the coffee undergoes natural processing. The cherries are carefully selected and then dried on raised beds under direct sunlight. This method, when executed with precision, allows the fruit sugars to concentrate within the bean, often resulting in the vibrant, fruit-forward flavor profiles associated with high-quality Ethiopian naturals. The drying process is managed on-site, allowing for strict control over the moisture content and quality of the final product.

For years, the Ethiopian coffee sector was dominated by the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange (ECX), which homogenized coffee by region rather than by individual farm, making it nearly impossible to trace coffee back to a specific producer. Meselech’s ability to market her coffee under her own name is a result of significant regulatory changes in the Ethiopian coffee industry that have allowed for greater direct traceability. By partnering with specialized exporters like Heleph Coffee, Meselech is able to receive a more direct share of the profits associated with her specific microlots.

This level of transparency is transformative for the farmer, the roaster, and the consumer. For Meselech, it provides a direct link to the international market and the financial incentives necessary to sustain her family and farm. For roasters and consumers, it offers a rare opportunity to experience the specific terroir and processing expertise of a single producer, moving away from the anonymity of regional blends. Today, Meselech Tube stands as a representative of the new era of Ethiopian coffee, where individual identity and farm-level quality are finally being recognized on the global stage.