We chase the distinctive brilliance of the finest coffees so they match the remarkably uplifting character of our community.
On the last official day of summer, 22nd September, we had extraordinary coffees in exquisite company, including some of our community’s more familiar faces whose regular presence keeps us inspired and the vibe riding high. How we pictured our summer finale would be was exactly how Cup & Connect with Eliyas Dukamo and Atiklet Dejene of Elto Coffee turned out.
Elto, as we’ve learned, means “more than passion” and “abundance” in the Sidamic language. Eliyas and Atiklet chose this name as they recognized that elevating Ethiopian coffee requires pouring their heart into every aspect of the work they do as the surest way to create abundant opportunities that add up to improving the lives of the smallholder farming communities they serve.
That’s on top of the disciplined practice of their professional coffee expertise, and in tandem with fostering connections with the folks who share their passion and act on it with the same commitment and intensity.
As we cupped the diverse spectrum of top Sidama Bensa flavor quality via eight lots from Gango, Arbegona, and Kokose Villages, we came to more deeply cherish the sort of joyful and enduring connections we chance upon, and then consciously nurture, in our mutual pursuit of something brilliant, be they flavor profiles or beyond.