Nensebo coffee has traditionally been classified as Sidamo, but it is now sold under its own name. The population of the area is around 600,000. In the towns the main religion is Orthadox Christianity whilst in the countryside most people are Muslim.
The beautiful Harenna forest acts as the border between Nensebo and Bale. The area is very mountainous. The main languages spoken are Orromiffa and Sidaamu Afoo.

Idido has been key sourcing location for Ephtah this season as favourable rains led to a fantastic harvest in 2022/23. We have two sites which we rent in Idido exclusively. Idido is our main sourcing area for our women single farm lots this year. It is also the area which we have initially focused on for our Ama Commitment project’s.

In Idido, the main religion is Christianity. There are both Protestant and Orthodox followers.

Now a famous name in the Ethiopian coffee scene, Guji coffee was relatively unknown until quite recently. The coffee is generally know for its intense fruity notes such as mango and pineapple.
The Guji people are a sub-group of the larger Oromo ethnic group. The Guji people still practise the Gada system regularly. It is seen as a ritual which every member of Guji society will go through. The Gada institute is seen an authorized body which governs the moral and social aspects of society.

Bensa is in the Sidama region. The zone is named after the prominent mountain in the area.

The population of Bensa is around 500,000 with Daye being the largest town. Nearly everyone speaks Sidaamu Afoo as their first language although Amharic is widely understood. It is predominantly a Christian Protestant area.

Coffee production completely dominates the area and nearly everyone is dependent on coffee in some way.

Gedeb has a population of over 300,000 people. The main religion is Christian Protestant although there are also some Orthodox people. The people speak Gedeoiniya. Towards the end of the harvest season, on January the 18th, the main annual new year festival is celebrated. The staple food is Enset (false banana). The Siqe river acts as the border between Gedeo and Guji and also the Southern regional state from Oromia.

The name comes from a local story, which means ‘you can see the lightning’ in the local Gedeoinya language
Banko Chelchele produces some of Ethiopia’s best coffee. Coffee is central to the local culture. Before a wedding the groom’s family will prepare two types of Buna Qalaa (dried coffee mixed with butter). The first will be consumed by the family before together going to the bride’s father’s house. The second will be given to local strangers along the way as a gesture of good will. The cultural practice is called Araara which means ‘making the peace’ when translated into English.