The name "Nano Challa" refers to a local mythic tale about a challenge to become King of Jimma, and the coop adopted it to signify their desire to be a strong cooperative. Indeed, many coops in the West of Ethiopia have struggled to find good buyers who will pay enough for the coffee, to manage their own debts, and from internal struggles and graft. Nano Challa was formed as part of an initiative to aid farmers in a more comprehensive way, starting cooperatives that could be governed by the farmers, rather than selling their coffee to privately run mills, and 'middle men'. The program was administered by a non-government organization that not only coordinates agronomists and managers for each of the coops they work with, but also has a business adviser assigned that helps the cooperative manage their debt, re-invest in quality improvements at the mill, and verifies distribution of income to all members. They've since graduated from this program, and are now part of an independent, local Union called Kata Muduga, who assist the cooperatives with functions like marketing, exporting, and general representation on an international scale. Nano Challa is a smaller cooperative coffee mill near Gera town in the Jimma region, Western Ethiopia. (The area also has some of the finest honey available in Ethiopia). This is from a collection site 2km from the original Nano Challa station called "Genji Challa". Being so close, they extend their farmer reach some, but also buy from many of the same coop members (deliveries can be made to either). The farms are at altitudes between 1900 to 2100 meters, planted in old regional varieties of coffee. This is another beautiful Farm Gate coffee that is great as espresso.
Cupping Notes: Fresh nectarine, apricot, peach, orange, and golden raisin
Brew Recommendations: Drip, French Press, pour over, espresso.
Farm Gate Coffee: Farmers paid at least 50% above Fair Trade
Varietal: Heirloom Cultivars
Region: Gera, Jimma
Altitude: 1900 – 2100 meters
Process: Wet processed (washed) and patio sun-dried on raised beds
Equity Pricing (EP) Levels
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Sustaining Level: $16 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below
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Uplifting Level: $20 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below
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Benefacting Level: $24 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below