Flavor Notes
Single Origin
Ethiopia Alaka Natural
$26
Grown by smallholders in Guji and processed by our longtime partners at METAD, this lot showcases natural processing at its best. Their meticulous approach preserves the complexity and distinct character that makes Ethiopian coffee unlike any other.
Grown by smallholders in Guji and processed by our longtime partners at METAD, this lot showcases natural processing at its best. Their meticulous approach preserves the complexity and distinct character that makes Ethiopian coffee unlike any other.
Blackberry
Plum
Tangerine
The details
Origin story
- Country Ethiopia
- Producer Alaka Farmers Association
- Region Guji, Oromia
- Elevation Range 1900 - 2200 masl
- Processing Method Natural
- Drying Method Raised Bed
- Harvest November 2025 - January 2026
- Direct Trade Partner Since 2012
This lot was grown by members of the Alaka Farmers Association and processed by our longtime partners, METAD, at their Hambela Alaka washing station in the West Guji Zone of Oromia. Led by the Adinew family, METAD consistently produces some of our favorite coffees from Ethiopia. Farmers delivered their daily harvest of ripe coffee cherries to the station, where they were meticulously sorted and dried on raised beds with the fruit fully intact. METAD’s expertise and attention to detail are especially evident in natural coffees like this one, where careful processing allows the heirloom varieties and terroir to shine, preserving the distinctive expression that makes Ethiopian coffee unlike any other.
How To Brew
We recommend starting with a 1:18 coffee-to-water ratio, which provides an excellent total extraction level and maximizes flavor pulled out of the ground coffee. For our single origin coffees we recommend a pour over method either on a Chemex, V60 or Kalita Wave on a 5 or 6 grind setting if you are ordering from Intelligentsiacoffee.com.
Recommended Method Pour Over
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01.
Boil Water 205 - 216 F
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02.
Weigh Coffee 1g of coffee per 18g of water
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03.
Drop In Filter Add filter to equipment
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04.
Grind Coffee Grind coffee and add to filter
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05.
Add Water Add water in stages
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06.
Remove Filter Enjoy your coffee!
Why We're Different
Intelligentsia coffee buyers travel year-round working with a network of farmers. From the farm, coffee arrives at the roasting works in Chicago, where coffee professionals cup, grade, and release over 50 single-origins and blends annually.