ETHIOPIA KAYON MESSIAH

Shakisso is a land that continues to shape the legacy of Ethiopian coffee. In this highland region altitude shade and patience come together in quiet harmony. The farms rest beneath canopies of native trees allowing the cherries to mature slowly and develop their natural sweetness. From this landscape we welcome the work of Ismael Hassen Aredo a dedicated farmer whose Kayon Mountain mill captures the balance between nature and craft. His coffee reflects the calm precision of Shakisso itself. Sweet layered and deeply rooted in the spirit of the highlands.

Kayon Mountain is known for coffees rich in complexity often marked by deep berry tones and elegant sweetness. Through Falcon’s dedicated effort Ismael’s lot was carefully separated from regional blends allowing his work to stand on its own and reveal the distinct character of his farm. This pursuit of individuality gives small roasters like Arkib the opportunity to explore the potential of Ethiopia’s single farmer coffees. Each lot becomes an expression of place patience and the quiet mastery behind every harvest.

This is one of the long awaited coffees for the Arkib team. When we first cupped it before shipment the cup revealed a gentle and elegant citrus character that immediately drew our attention. Freshly brewed the coffee opened with a sweet cotton candy aroma accompanied by the delicate fragrance of neroli. As it cooled the citrus character settled into sweet fruity notes of honeydew and melon before developing into the sticky sweetness of madu kelulut. A natural strawberry essence remained throughout the cup giving it a clean and expressive natural process character. Ismael’s coffee left a lasting impression on us and became one of the coffees we had been waiting to share as specialty coffee roasters.