Ethiopia Kolla Bolcha

The past decade has established Agaro’s reputation for distinctive, high-quality washed offerings. Reaching their peak expression well after harvest, we find they present a range offresh and dried-fruit characteristics, along with a spiced floral nuance that defines their flavor provenance.

Coffees from this region in southwestern Ethiopia—often referred to simply as “the west” by coffee buyers—were historically sun-dried and sold in bulk for low prices under a generic regional name. Thanks to a partnership between USAID and Technoserve to fund infrastructure in Agaro, this area’s network of washing stations can now reliably produce impeccable coffees and thus command higher prices in the market.

The Kolla Bolcha washing station is operated by the Kata Muduga cooperative, which, unlike most unions in Ethiopia, works on commission. Ninety percent of the purchase price is returned directly to the cooperative—and, by extension, to the community. Under their leadership, quality at Kolla Bolcha has exceeded even the most renowned washing stations in Agaro in recent seasons.