This honey-processed coffee comes from the Gerse Kebele region in Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia, grown at 2100 meters altitude by Bekele Kachara Farm. The coffee undergoes a Black Honey process where cherries are hand-sorted, float-tested, pulped with calibrated disc pulpers to retain maximum mucilage, briefly fermented, then slowly dried on shaded beds over 4-5 additional days. The beans are varieties 74158, 74112, and 74110, harvested between October and January. The cup offers bright notes of blackberry, honeycomb, and mandarin with a smooth, sweet character and classic Ethiopian fruity finish.
Pair Cupworks is a specialty micro roastery in Mesa, Arizona, founded by Kimhak Em and Eugenia Tai. Kimhak brings over 30 years of food service experience and a culinary background; Eugenia combines structural engineering with commercial illustration and handles the brand's visual identity. They began roasting in 2017, initially selling beans online while working day jobs, and opened their first coffee bar in 2020. Food & Wine Magazine named them Best Coffee Roaster in the state in 2022. They roast in small batches with the goal of developing clean flavours that respect the work of farmers and producers. Wholesale clients now stretch across the US and into Europe and Asia.
