Nasir Alemu, Organic, Single, bags

Ethiopia | Nasir Alemu

Organic Single Grown by smallholders, Sun-dried by Nasir in Leku, Sidama

Light Roasted Natural Arabica

"Juicy and expressive, with blueberry notes, ripe stone-fruit, and a soft floral lift. Naturally processed and light roasted, it delivers a sweet, rounded cup with complexity and a lasting finish."

- Ante Bikic, Head Roaster at Amokka

This coffee comes from Leku in Sidama, where we met producer and drying station owner Nasir Alemu during our visit to the region. His farm holds around eight thousand coffee trees, many still young and not yet in full production. Like much of Ethiopia’s smallholder agriculture, the coffee is grown without synthetic inputs, and Nasir’s operation is certified organic. The certification reflects practices that have long been part of the area’s farming traditions and gives full traceability to both his own harvest and the cherries delivered by neighbouring producers.

Limited water access in Leku means that all coffee at Nasir’s station is processed using the natural method. Fresh cherries are sorted, weighed and placed directly onto raised drying beds. The fruit dries slowly in the sun, turned regularly to maintain an even process. This allows the beans to take on the sugars of the pulp as it dries, creating a pronounced sweetness and a layered fruit character. Natural processing has deep roots in Ethiopia, and Nasir’s approach continues that tradition with care and consistency.

Shade from banana and avocado trees helps regulate the temperature on the farm, contributing to a steady and even maturation of the cherries. The combination of altitude, mixed heirloom varieties, and careful drying gives this coffee its clear regional identity. In the cup it shows sweet, expressive fruit notes with good body and a clean structure. The profile works well as filter, where the fruit becomes more open, and as espresso, where the sweetness and depth are more concentrated.

Impact at origin

In Ethiopia, our work in Leku has focused on reducing the financial barriers that keep children out of school. Through the School Uniforms Project 2025, families received locally produced uniforms for their children, easing a cost that is required for entry into public education but often out of reach. The initiative was carried out together with Daniel, Worku and Sany, who coordinated production, fitting and distribution across two government schools.

By supplying uniforms identified by village elders and school staff as the most immediate need, the project helped increase attendance, strengthen students’ sense of belonging and reduce the social stigma tied to affordability. It is a practical step that supports daily life in the community and reflects our commitment to long-term partnerships in the Leku area.