Ethiopia Werka: Sample Coffee Roasters

Ethiopia
Werka

We find flavours of mandarin, passionfruit, and bergamot

Body Acidity

The Werka Coffee Washing Station is in the Nensebo district, taking its name from the nearby town of Werka.

They collect coffee from 700–800 farmers, who each grow coffee on around three hectares of land. As well as their coffee crop, they typically grow ‘false banana’ plants (a drought resistant plant which provides food as well as fibres for rope) as well as corn, along with Wanza and Acacia trees for shade.

Like most crops from Ethiopia, this is a mix of locally grown varietals which are referred to as Ethiopian Heirloom.

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, so unlike other countries where coffee has been introduced as a crop with specific varietals planted, Ethiopian farmers often cultivate the trees growing naturally on their property.

It’s this diversity that helps bring the varying flavours we love in Ethiopian coffee, and we hope you enjoy them too.

Sourcing and ingredients

100% Ethiopian Heirloom coffee beans, roasted by us on Gadigal land / Sydney.

Country grade: Unknown ?

Packaging

Bag: ABA Certified home compostable
Label: Recyclable
Valve (on bags larger than 250g): General waste
Coffee ordered online is shipped in a recyclable cardboard box

Brewing this coffee

We recommend brewing this coffee 15–49 days post-roast. If pre-ground, brew as soon as possible. Our advice on storing coffee.

1:3
dose:yield
ratio

To brew on espresso, we recommend using 20g of beans (dose) to get 60g of espresso out (yield), during 24-28 seconds.

g dose

g yield

View the how to brew espresso (single origin) guide.

1:16.7
beans:water
ratio

To brew in infusion/fed brewers (V60, Chemex) use a ratio of 1:16.7 ratio of beans:water.

g beans

g water

View full recipes and videos in our brewguides

1:14.3
beans:water
ratio

To brew in immersion brewers (plunger, AeroPress, Kalita, batch brewer) we recommend using a 1:14.3 ratio of beans:water

g beans

g water

View full recipes and videos in our brewguides

1:12
beans:water
ratio

To brew as cold brew we recommend using a 1:12 ratio of beans:water

g beans

g water

View full recipes and videos in our brewguides

Country: Ethiopia
Region: Werka, Sidama, Yirgacheffe
Altitude: 1900 – 2050m above sea level
Varietals: Ethiopian Heirloom
Process: Washed
Body: Light
Acidity: Delicate
Tasting notes: Mandarin, passionfruit, and bergamot
Roast style: Omni

Varietals

Ethiopian Heirloom varietal

Heirloom (or sometimes Landrace) is an umbrella term that refers to all the coffee varietals endemic to Ethiopia.

The location

Coffee from Ethiopia

Seen as the birthplace of domesticated coffee, there are not many more exciting times at the Sample warehouse as when our fresh Ethiopian lots arrive. Legend says it’s our favourite origin…

The Yirgacheffe region of Ethiopia

Unique for its floral and highly aromatic coffees. Some our of very favourite and memorable Ethiopian coffees have emerged from this legendary region.

Farm processes

Washed process

Machines are used to remove the flesh from the coffee cherry before being fermented in water, washed again, and finally sun dried. This process tends to result in more distinct, cleaner flavours.