The Power of Being There: Unlocking Ethiopia’s Best Coffee

Greentide sources Ethiopia’s best coffees by being present at origin, building strong producer relationships, and selecting exceptional lots directly at the source. This hands-on approach ensures outstanding quality, verified again through rigorous testing in Italy.

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In a market where coffee is often traded without the buyer ever setting foot on a farm, Greentide takes a different approach. We believe that true quality control cannot happen remotely—it starts at the source.

Our CEO, Piero Piccolo, and Head of Quality Control, Diego Nata, recently returned from an extensive sourcing trip to Ethiopia. But this trip wasn’t just a visit; it was a testament to our deep roots in the region. Anchoring our operations is Sisay Mulugeta, our General Manager permanently based in Addis Ababa.

Local Insight, Global Standards

Sisay was the architect of this journey. His deep local knowledge and permanent presence allowed us to bypass standard routes and visit the right farmers with exceptional potential that most buyers never reach.

During the trip, the team visited farmers and washing stations directly in the Jimma and Guji regions. The reaction from local producers was telling. As Diego noted, “They were so happy to see us because ‘nobody’s going there.’ Most companies buy and sell without ever meeting the people behind the beans.”

By showing up, we build a personal connection that guarantees better access, better cooperation, and ultimately, a better cup profile for your customers.

Rigorous Selection: From Washing Station to Roastery

While we certainly utilize standard sampling logistics throughout the year, this trip offered a unique advantage. To maximize efficiency and ensure immediate access, the team personally selected samples directly from the washing stations, overseeing the process from the harvest to the warehouse.

They brought 40 distinct samples back to our lab in Italy for a secondary round of rigorous SCA-standard analysis. This hands-on verification process ensures that the “origin magic” holds up to technical scrutiny. We are thrilled to report that our quality checks in Italy confirmed the excellence tasted in the field, with no unexpected quality issues.

Featured Lots: The Result of Direct Sourcing

This direct access has secured us a diverse range of the season’s most promising coffees, available immediately for our partners. We are particularly excited to introduce three distinct profiles that highlight the variety of the region:

Ethiopia Washed Limmu Gr. 1 (SCA 84): Characterized by notes of vanilla, spice, peach, and apricot citrus acidity. This lot offers a perfect combination of sugars and acidity, making it excellent as a single origin or the perfect choice if you want to give a unique spin to your specialty blend.
Natural Yirgacheffe Gr. 1 (SCA 87): A standout coffee featuring flavors of mint, apricot, floral, cherry, and strawberry. It presents a very velvety and smooth body, resulting in a balanced and distinctly sugary cup.
Ethiopia Washed Sidamo Gr. 1 (SCA 85): A complex profile with strawberry, pastry, honey, lemon, and black tea notes. This coffee delivers a very round body paired with a light, complex acidity.

Ready to taste the difference direct sourcing makes?

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