About this Coffee
We are thrilled to introduce this first-time offering from Ethiopia. The first sip greets you with crisp notes of freshly picked Raspberries. As the flavors unfold, soft and silky Vanilla Custard flavors embody the cup with the aromas of a delicate Orange Blossom. Shilicho’s light body and deep flavors make this washed offering a refreshing and unique coffee-drinking experience.
The Shilicho cooperative is a member of the Sidama Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (SCFCU). At its inception in 1975, Shilihco operated independently until the early 90s when unions became imperative for the well-being of small and local cooperatives. Prior to unions, cooperatives were reliant on a third-party collector to buy and export their green. This system created indirect trade relationships and took market autonomy from the cooperative.
The strength of unions brings a higher return to the individual farmers. Strength is in numbers, with unions the cooperatives are able to create direct trade relationships with buyers and control the exportations of their own coffees. To this day Shilicho reinvests their power into their members by supporting their members on organic farming practices and invests in infrastructure that increases accessibility to the washing station.
The smallholders belonging to Shilicho average about one hectare of land used for coffee cultivation. The land is also commonly used to farm for subsistence. Coffee farming is a rich part of the Ethiopian culture that is ever complex and fascinating, and you just can’t miss out on this beautiful washed coffee that is the result of it.