Introduction:The 2024 Ethiopia East Africa Harvest Season Taste of Harvest (TOH) competition concluded successfully in the capital city of Addis Ababa. This year, a total of 75 coffee companies participated with over 200 Arabica lots, covering various processing methods including natural, washed, and honey. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the origin characteristics, processing techniques, and flavor profiles of the Natural category winner Testi Trading Plc, the Washed category winner Eseham Trading plc, and the Honey category winner Yihonal Trading plc, along with practical flavor references to help coffee enthusiasts better understand the unique qualities of these top-tier green beans.
As a significant coffee-producing region in the world, Africa not only enjoys exceptionally favorable climatic conditions but is also the birthplace of many coffee varieties. Among them, Ethiopia is hailed as the birthplace of coffee, boasting a long cultivation history and rich biodiversity. Established in 2000, the African Fine Coffee Association (AFCA) founded the East Africa Harvest Season Taste of Harvest (TOH) to promote the quality of African coffee and strengthen its connection with the international market. This competition is similar to the internationally renowned Cup of Excellence (COE), consisting of national rounds and an African regional final, and adopts the same CQI and SAC cupping standards as the COE.
The 2024 TOH competition was grandly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attracting 75 coffee companies that submitted a total of 212 Arabica coffee lots. Among them, there were 159 natural lots, 45 washed lots, and 8 honey lots. The competition selected the top five in the natural category, the top five in the washed category, and the top three in the honey category, showcasing Ethiopia’s exceptional craftsmanship and diverse flavor potential across different processing methods.
Among the many outstanding participants,the Natural category champion was claimed by a trading company from Ethiopia.This is a family-owned enterprise established in 2009 by Mr. Faysel Abdosh. Its coffee farms are located in the Bombe Kebele Durato Village, Bensa Woreda, Sidama Zone, in southern Ethiopia. The company is not only a member of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX), the African Fine Coffee Association (AFCA), the Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association (ECEA), and the Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce (ECC), but also owns 315 hectares of plantation area and 20 washing stations. It has long been dedicated to producing high-quality washed beans and is known for its rigorous sorting and screening processes. A well-known Taiwanese coffee brand previously recommended natural lots from this region, whose flavor profiles often feature bright fruit notes such as strawberry and mango, accompanied by distinct fermented wine-like tones—perfect for coffee lovers who enjoy intense fruity flavors.
The Washed category championship was claimed bya coffee trading company from Ethiopia.This enterprise, jointly founded in 2014 by brothers Ismael Hassan and Hamid Haseen, is headquartered in the Guji-Hambella region. It operates eight coffee processing stations spread across three towns within the Guji zone—Hambella, Uraga, and Kercha—at elevations between 2000 and 2300 meters. The winning lot in the TOH Washed category this year comes from the Bule Hamabal processing station in Guji Hambella. Coffee from this area is known for its bright, clean acidity and clean mouthfeel. A well-known Taiwanese coffee brand has previously recommended lots from Hambella, whose flavors often include layers of citrus and white flowers, with a tea-like, mellow, and lingering aftertaste—ideal for pour over enthusiasts who prefer a refreshing style.
The Honey category champion was awarded toa coffee trading company from southern Ethiopia.The company is based in Arbegona, Sidama Zone, and the winning lot was produced by the Duwancho coffee processing station. This station was jointly established in 2019 by coffee farmers from four surrounding villages—Duwancho, Rumudamo, Bochesa, and Shamatanto—and currently involves 213 coffee farmers in the cooperative. In addition to growing coffee, local farmers also cultivate economic crops such as bananas and passionfruit, forming a diversified agricultural ecosystem. The company’s honey-processed beans, through refined honey processing techniques, fully showcase a balance of sweetness and aroma. A well-known Taiwanese coffee brand previously recommended Sidama honey-processed lots that often exhibit warm notes of sweet orange and honey, accompanied by soft spicy undertones—perfect for consumers who enjoy semi-washed or honey-processed flavors.
In summary, the 2024 Ethiopia TOH green bean competition is not only an ultimate test for various producing regions and processing methods but also showcases Ethiopia’s profound strength in the specialty coffee field to the global coffee market. Whether you are a fan of bold fruit flavors in natural lots, a supporter of clean acidity in washed beans, or someone who loves sweet profiles in honey-processed coffee, you can find inspiration and direction for tasting among this year’s champion lots.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
