Ethiopia Shantawene

Founded in 2006 by brothers Asefa and Mulugeta Dukamo, Daye Bensa is a coffee grower and exporter based in Ethiopia. The company exports coffee from its own farm in Shantawene Village, as well as from out-growers in three villages: Shantawene, Karamo, and Bombe.

The Shantawene coffee is named after the village, where the majority of the workforce—many of them women—are employed on the coffee farm. Daye Bensa’s estate lies at elevations between 1,900 and 2,217 meters above sea level, while cherries delivered by out-growers come from farms located higher up the mountain, at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 2,400 meters.

Daye Bensa prioritizes quality. Annual celebrations and rewards for top farmers foster community. Among other things they host an Out-Growers Day, bringing together nearly 1,000 farmers to celebrate their harvests and receive second payments for their coffee cherry contributions. The company also recognized excellence by awarding certificates and cash prizes to the top three farmers from each of the three villages, honoring their consistent delivery of high-quality cherries.

Looking ahead, Daye Bensa aims to collaborate with more farmers, with a particular focus on supporting women farmers, and to work with Hawassa University to enable students to conduct research aimed at further improving coffee quality. Shantawene has won 7th place (from more than 1,400 entries) in the 2020 Cup of Excellence in Ethiopia!

FACTS ABOUT SHANTAWENE

The Sidama region is a renowned coffee-producing area known for its rich volcanic soil and ideal climate for growing high-quality coffee. The village of Shantawene is located in the Sidama region and is home to a vibrant coffee-growing community.

Ethiopia is known for its diversity of traditional varieties, which offer a complex and unique flavour profile. Specific varieties include Mikico and Setami, which are traditional Ethiopian coffee varieties.