Ethiopia Sidama Bensa Qonqona Lychee Double Anaerobic Honey

Region: Sidama, Bensa, Ethiopia
Producer: Qonqona Washing Station (operated by Daye Bensa)
Varietal: 74110 / 74112 Heirloom
Process: Lychee Double Anaerobic Honey (with lychee yeast fermentation)
Altitude: 1,910 – 2,010 masl
Grade: G1
Taste Note: Lychee, white peach, sweet floral, fruit tea finish
Brewing method: Filter or Espresso

Roaster Note

This cup opens with an unmistakable burst of lychee sweetness, clear and elegant, that sets the tone from the first sip. As it cools, juicy notes of white peach and hints of tropical fruit emerge, layered with delicate florals. The dual anaerobic honey process lends a syrupy body yet keeps the cup remarkably clean, finishing with a refreshing fruit-tea character. There’s a playful brightness balanced by soft sweetness, making it both complex and easy to enjoy. It feels like a carefully orchestrated flavor journey — vibrant, layered, and memorable.

Bean Info

This coffee comes from the Qonqona Washing Station in Bensa, Sidama, managed by Daye Bensa — a company widely recognized for its quality and farmer-support initiatives. The lot uses Ethiopia’s renowned heirloom varieties 74110 and 74112, cultivated at altitudes of 1,910–2,010 meters, where cool mountain conditions allow cherries to ripen slowly, concentrating sugars and aromatics.

The “Lychee Double Anaerobic Honey” process is what makes this lot special. Fresh cherries undergo an initial sealed anaerobic fermentation, then are re-fermented with carefully selected lychee yeast before being honey-dried. This dual fermentation produces clean, focused, and natural lychee and peach aromatics, while the honey process layers in sweetness and depth.

Daye Bensa is known for supporting surrounding smallholder farmers with agronomy training and better incomes. The Qonqona station is considered a model facility in Sidama, where precise processing and farmer care result in consistently outstanding coffees.