ABOUT DAYE BENSA

Daye Bensa was founded in 2006 by brothers Assefa Dukamo and Manda Dukamo in the city of Daye, located in Ethiopia’s Sidama region. Starting as a small trading company, they began producing and exporting coffee in response to the rising market demand for high-quality Sidama coffee.

The company expanded significantly over the years, and in 2019 they established a state-of-the-art wet mill in Shantawene. They also built a dry mill in Daye City and operate the Ato Dukamo Washing Station, commonly referred to as the Ato Dukamo Station.

Under the leadership of Assefa Dukamo, Daye Bensa joined the GIZ Private Sector Development Project, the Rainforest Alliance (RFA), and the Fairtrade certification program, and it has continued to grow as a company with global recognition. A major turning point came in 2012 when Assefa Dukamo opened a new farm in Shantawene—rooted in the local community—and began producing coffee with a focus on sustainability.

Today, Daye Bensa works with over 2,000 smallholder farmers, and the number continues to grow. Their coffee, known for its quality and consistency, has earned a strong international reputation. In 1996, the company expanded into the export business and was officially incorporated as Daye Bensa Coffee Export PLC.

ABOUT KERAMO STATION

Keramo Station is located in the Sidamo region of Ethiopia at a relatively high elevation, and its name comes from the well-known village of Keramo nearby. The station purchases coffee cherries harvested by approximately 381 smallholder farmers in and around Keramo, Sidamo.

The area is famous for its fertile soil and climate. Farmers in Keramo are known for growing only fully ripe cherries, and in 2020, the station received the Cup of Excellence (CoE) award, further demonstrating the outstanding quality of the coffee produced there.

Coffee processed at this station is characterized by small bean size, bright acidity, and vibrant fruit flavors, making it highly regarded for showcasing the unique qualities of Ethiopian coffee.

The Center of Ethiopian Specialty Coffee

Gedeb is one of seven woredas (districts) belonging to the Gedeo Zone. With an elevation of around 1,800 to 2,200 meters, it sits quite high, and its subtropical climate provides ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. Coffee grown here typically has relatively small beans, taking about 2–3 months to mature, and is known for its unique sweetness. Because of its excellent environmental conditions and the community of skilled growers who gather here, Gedeb is famous for producing some of Ethiopia’s best coffee. This is why it is often called the heart of Ethiopian specialty coffee.

About 12 km from the town of Gedeb lies Wurka–Sakaro. In the Gedeo language, Wurka means “gold,” and Sakaro refers to a large tree found in the Gedeb region. Wurka–Sakaro plays a very important role in coffee production. Coffee is cultivated across a total area of about 680 hectares, and many washing stations, including ours, are located here.

Among the three washing stations, the only privately owned one—Wuri Washing Station—is known for pursuing diverse processing methods. Last year, for example, Wuri attempted Ethiopia’s first-ever anaerobic fermentation processing, which generated considerable buzz in the 2016 WBC (World Barista Championship) community.

We use the phrase “high altitude” with confidence when speaking of Gedeo. In fact, after spending significant time in the region, we came to understand firsthand why the local people take such pride in their high elevations. It also gave us insight into how coffee production in Ethiopia might evolve in the future.

Fazenda Fartura is a story of resilience and family unity rooted in the highlands of Serra do Salitre, in the Cerrado Mineiro region of Brazil. The foundation of the farm was laid in 1986, when Geraldo Magelis Alves de Melo and his wife, Angela, transformed what began as subsistence farming into a dedicated coffee operation. Through discipline, persistence and long-term vision, they built the structure that defines Fartura today.

In 2013, the next generation stepped in. Their sons, Djalma and Gabriel, assumed management, carrying the family legacy forward with a clear focus on quality, sustainability and strict adherence to certification standards. The transition marked a shift from traditional farming to a more technical and market-oriented specialty coffee mindset.

Fartura’s inclusion in the Essências program reflects this evolution — positioning the farm within a curated selection of producers committed to traceability, structured management and quality-driven production.The lot currently promoted is a Rubi variety, processed through anaerobic fermentation, scoring 87.5 points. 

Fazenda Fartura represents over four decades of family dedication — now led by a new
generation committed to refining process, protecting heritage and delivering consistent specialty coffee from Serra do Salitre.