Gato is a brand new mill set up by the Haro Sana cooperative in 2017 in the Agaro area of Jimma in Ethiopia.

Haro Sana’s knowledge of picking and processing coffee made it possible for Gato to produce outstanding coffee in their first year of production. Reuben was lucky enough to visit in November last year, just before harvest, to see the final construction of the washing mill.

Here’s a video of some of the drive into Gato, taken on our visit there in 2017.

What makes Gato so special is their people and its location. Set deep in the rainforest you have to drive a long trail, accessible only by 4wd, to access the Mill. The coffee is grown by 400 local smallholders in the rainforest surrounding the mill, which is rich with diversity.

Of all the lots produced by Gato, we selected lot number three to be our favourite. The lot number correlates to the time when the coffee was washed, brought to the mill, and processed. Usually the middle of the harvest is when you find the most complex, juicy and sweet coffees.

We really hope you enjoy this delicious first offering from a cooperative that we can’t wait to visit again soon!

All the images and information about this coffee and its producers have been kindly shared by the importer, Condesa, and edited by us, Sample Coffee (unless linked to or credited otherwise).

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